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NBA Trade Rumors: Brandon Ingram's Camp Seeking Team Willing to Give $208M Contract

Andrew PetersJuly 11, 2024

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 27: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is reportedly seeking a four-year deal worth $208 million, per NBA insider Marc Stein.

"Ingram, with one All-Star appearance on his resume like Markkanen, has only one season left on his current contract and is said to be seeking a four-year contract extension worth nearly $210 million," Stein wrote. "The Pelicans have made it clear that they won't go to those lengths to re-sign him and, while various teams have explored Ingram trades since the offseason began in earnest, no other team willing to sign the 26-year-old at those numbers has yet emerged ... with league sources saying that Ingram's camp has also joined the efforts to find one."

Ingram, who has one year remaining on his four-year, $158.253 million contract, is eligible for a four-year, $208 million contract, though finding a team willing to give him such a lucrative deal might prove to be difficult.

Ingram, who will be 27 at the beginning of the season, averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds last year—all of those numbers down from the 2022-23 season.

The added motivation of seeking a large contract could give Ingram a push in his eighth NBA season, as he'd likely need to have a career year to get the contract he's seeking.

As Stein noted, a team willing to meet the contract requirements Ingram is looking for has yet to emerge. The Pelicans also explored trading him this offseason, but haven't found a suitor just yet.

Barring a breakout season from Ingram, he and his camp might have to be willing to settle for a less lucrative deal next offseason.

In the meantime, he'll look to continue helping the Pelicans push to be a perennial playoff contender. New Orleans has reached the postseason twice in the last three years but has yet to make it past the second round.

A fully healthy Pelicans squad seems capable of making a run in the postseason, but only time will tell if the team can finally get over the hump this year.