Pelicans to aggressively explore trade market for Brandon Ingram

Michael Scotto: The Pelicans are going to build around Zion Williamson. I’m told the Pelicans recognize this roster around Zion is a little bit disjointed. I’ve heard New Orleans will seek positional upgrades to improve their spacing and not bring in someone who clogs the paint and is in Zion’s way. When I talk to executives and scouts around the league about this, I remember one scout said to me, “The Zion you saw at the end of the season is the guy that can take the Pelicans far. They wouldn’t be able to go as far with Brandon Ingram as the focal point. Zion has to be that guy for better or worse with his injuries if New Orleans is ever going to make an eventual championship-type run. Zion has that special type of talent.” Will Guillory: Everybody you talk to with this team behind the scenes says he’s been a different person the past couple of months of the season with his connectivity with the team, his commitment to putting in work off the court, and the way he’s committing to defense. It’s the little things he’s been doing. That’s where they saw the superstar jump. We always say the ability and the numbers with how he dominated offensively, but I think there were always questions about whether he was able to do the little things that are required of a superstar. I think he started checking all those boxes towards the end of the season. -via HoopsHype / May 10, 2024

Michael Scotto: Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is considered the most likely player to be traded by rival executives who spoke with HoopsHype. Those executives believe the fit with Ingram and Zion isn’t ideal on the court. With Ingram entering the final season of his contract at $36 million, he’s been a trade candidate before, but he’s a prime trade candidate now. -via HoopsHype / May 10, 2024

Let me ask you this: Do you know ballpark-wise what Ingram and his camp would be looking for in an extension as he enters his final season at $36 million? Will Guillory: I think they’d certainly be wanting to swim somewhere near those max waters. He’s still a guy in his mid-20s who is going to be a really good scorer in this league for a long time, a playmaker, and a guy who’s had success with this team as the No. 1 option at times when Zion’s been out. I think there are teams around the league who’d be interested in paying him, if not the max, all the way up to the max for the potential he brings as a wing scorer, can make plays off the dribble, is a versatile defender, and is a good locker room guy. I think he’s going to have value on the open market. Does it make sense to pay him and Trey Murphy if you’re going to maximize Zion? -via HoopsHype / May 10, 2024