NBA Free Agency: Brandon Ingram’s Profuse Gratitude May Hint Pelicans Exit Amid Rampant Cavs & Kings Links

The New Orleans Pelicans may be one of the unluckiest franchises in the league. For a season that promised so much at the start, it ultimately ended with a whimper rather than a bang. Of course, an untimely injury to Zion Williamson had a part to play. But the Pels were no match for the OKC Thunder and their youthful exuberance during their first-round matchup. The Pelicans offered no resistance, as the 1st-seeded Thunder romped to a 4-0 series sweep.

Many fans and experts have pointed fingers at Brandon Ingram and his lackluster performance in the playoffs. With Zion Williamson out injured during the playoffs, BI had the responsibility to lead the Pelicans. However, Ingram buckled under the bright lights of the postseason. He could only manage to average 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 4 games in the 2024 playoffs. That’s a huge drop-off from his production during the regular season. Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds in 64 regular games this season.

With the Pelicans not making much noise in the playoffs, this might be Brandon Ingram’s last appearance in the Pelicans’ colors. His remarks in a post-match press conference certainly suggested that. He said, “I love the city of New Orleans. This is a place where I got my first All-Star, and they let me be myself. I’ve got good relationships around here, but you never know. I’ll take a few weeks off and think about what’s best for me and my family, and take it from there.”

However, Brandon Ingram ended the interview by suggesting that his future may, after all, reside in New Orleans. He added, “No matter what, I’ve got a lot of love for the city of New Orleans and the fans. They did nothing but treat me right. There’s some unfinished business here, so you never know.”

Where does Brandon Ingram’s future lie?

Ever since leaving the Lakers, Brandon Ingram has been on fire for the New Orleans Pelicans. He even became a first-time All-Star during the 2019–20 season. In 287 games for the Pels, BI has averaged 23.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. However, the Pelicans’ decision to pair him with Zion Williamson hasn’t quite worked out.

Both stars are among the most injury-prone players in the league. Ingram has missed 103 regular season games since the 2020–21 season. Meanwhile, Zion has missed a whopping 168 regular season games during the same time period. Due to his injury-prone nature and lack of a natural fit with Zion, many experts and fans feel that the Pels would be open to trading Brandon Ingram this offseason, especially after his poor showing in the playoffs.

Teams like the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings have jumped ahead of the competition as the early favorites to land Brandon Ingram. The Hawks, in particular, have a chance at acquiring BI if they’re willing to trade Trae Young. The Hawks have struggled to compete for even a playoff spot, with Young leading the team. A move away may be the best course of action for both parties. Another interesting team is the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the cap space to absorb Ingram’s huge paycheck. Regardless of where he ends up, it appears that Brandon Ingram’s time with the Pelicans is coming to an end.