The New Orleans Pelicans have made it abundantly clear: Brandon Ingram is a cornerstone of their future, and they have no intentions of parting ways with the star forward anytime soon. This is despite the team's reluctance to offer him a lucrative contract extension, valued at up to $208 million over four years, at this juncture. Ingram, set to earn $36 million in the 2024-25 season, finds himself at the center of a critical junction for the Pelicans.
Financial Strategy and Constraints
David Griffin, the President of Basketball Operations for the Pelicans, shed light on the organization’s stance. "I think from a relationship standpoint, we've been really clear we'd prefer Brandon stays with us and Brandon's been pretty clear he prefers to stay with us. At the same time, there is a financial reality to this... we’re committed to each other," Griffin stated.
This financial reality is influenced by the new collective bargaining agreement, which includes stringent salary cap restrictions. Teams that exceed the first apron of $178.1 million face restrictions on taking back more salary than they send out. For those exceeding the second apron of $188.9 million, aggregating multiple players' salaries in trades is not permitted. These constraints inevitably make managing the roster and future contract extensions a delicate balancing act.
Griffin elaborated on the complexity of the situation: "In some markets, you don't have to make any decisions: You get a max, and you get a max, and you get a max, and you hoard talent. We're not that market... When you don't have to pay them, you want all of them. And then when you actually have to hand them $50 million a year, mechanically, it gets complicated." His comments underscore the challenges small-market teams face compared to their larger market counterparts.
The Pelicans' Recent Moves
Beyond financial considerations, the Pelicans have also been active in reshaping their roster. The team recently acquired Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks while letting go of Jonas Valanciunas via free agency and losing Larry Nance Jr. in the Murray transaction. These moves indicate a strategic pivot, with the front office reportedly counting on a combination of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to fortify their frontcourt depth.
Nevertheless, injuries have plagued the Pelicans' recent campaigns. Brandon Ingram himself hyperextended his left knee a few weeks before the conclusion of the last regular season. Meanwhile, Zion Williamson’s season-ending injury during the play-in tournament further compounded the team's challenges. Griffin acknowledged these hurdles and provided insight into the internal expectations placed on Ingram. "Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon," he said.
Playing Style and Future Outlook
Despite the setbacks, the Pelicans' leadership remains optimistic about the path ahead, albeit recognizing the necessity for tactical adjustments. Griffin pointed to a potential shift towards smaller ball lineups: "So we gotta make choices, right?... we’re going to have to do this in a really unique way. And I think we’re pretty committed to playing small." This indicates a strategic decision to maximize the strengths of their current roster.
Ingram’s performance metrics do reveal certain areas of concern. Early in his tenure with the Pelicans, he was attempting 4.2 catch-and-shoot 3s per game, making 42% of them. However, these attempts have steadily declined each year, raising questions about his evolving role and effectiveness on the court.
Despite the challenges, both on the court and in the financial ledger, the Pelicans remain focused on leveraging their strengths. Griffin voiced this forward-looking optimism: "I understand that everybody looks at the situation and goes, 'They’re missing this, they’re missing that,' but we also have a lot of strengths that we want to lean into." This statement encapsulates the team's commitment to navigating their constraints while aiming for competitive success.
The water in New Orleans may be murky with uncertainties, restrictions, and injuries, but the organization's intent remains unmistakably clear: Brandon Ingram is essential to their vision of the future, and they are prepared to maneuver through complexities to retain his talent and build around it.