The New Orleans Pelicans were just starting to get their players back from injuries. But tragedy has struck, again. As the Pels were facing OKC for the 2nd time this season, Brandon Ingram was helped off the court. BI’s night took a turn for the worse, as he stepped on Luguentz Dort’s foot right after halftime. He was helped off the court, and honestly, the Pels can’t catch a break. With injuries piling up, losing Ingram even for a game, feels like when your favorite character gets written off mid-season—completely deflating!

Before his exit, Ingram tallied 5 points, 3 assists, a rebound, and a steal in just 19 minutes. This team doesn’t just need luck; they need a miracle. We are also just finding out that he’ll not be returning tonight.

When the 6-foot-8 forward left the game, unable to put weight on his leg, it felt like another gut punch for the Pelicans. This season has been one long episode of Survivor, with injuries taking out key players like Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, CJ McCollum, and even Dejounte Murray. And let’s face it, a 5-18 record puts them squarely at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. With Ingram possibly missing extended time, it’s hard not to wonder if New Orleans is dealing with a curse!

Ingram has proven himself as a top-tier scorer, consistently putting up 20.8 to 24.7 points per game over the last six seasons. He broke through as an All-Star during the 2019-20 season, his first year with the New Orleans side after spending three seasons in Los Angeles with the Lakers. It’s no wonder that teams like the Warriors and the Lakers linked themselves to him.

So will he end up staying in New Orleans, reuniting with his former franchise, or helping Stephen Curry to another championship?

Brandon Ingram knows his worth, WON’T budge without a max extension

Brandon Ingram’s future with the Pelicans is up in the air, and the trade rumors are only heating up. Speculation around him has been buzzing since the summer, mainly because he hasn’t signed an extension yet! Now, we’re gaining more insight into what he wants if the team trades him. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Ingram “wants to be part of a winning, competitive environment.”

It sounds like he’s fully ready to move on if New Orleans can’t offer him that.

The Pelicans are reportedly planning to offer Ingram a contract worth about $40 million a year, as reported by Jake Fischer of The People’s Insider. But Ingram has his sights set higher—he’s after a max contract. With the trade deadline fast approaching, BI’s decision could shape the future of this team. He’s expected to make his move, either agreeing to a big ext or requesting a trade.

The trade buzz, although, hasn’t slowed down, and Brandon Ingram has reportedly drawn interest from teams like the Warriors and Lakers. There’s even chatter that the Cleveland Cavaliers rejected a deal involving the Pels star and Jarrett Allen.

The Pelicans are facing a tough call on what to do with Brandon Ingram. They’re juggling whether he’s worth locking in for the long haul or if it’s time to go in a different direction. Rumors suggest they might be ready to shake things up, with a potential breakup of the Ingram-Zion duo. They’re already in rebuild mode, actively shopping CJ McCollum.

Funny enough, McCollum is on the block because teams are more interested in him than Ingram at the moment.