The New Orleans Pelicans have decisively asserted their position regarding star forward Brandon Ingram: he is a cornerstone of the team's future, and they're not letting him go easily. Despite being eligible for a contract extension worth up to $208 million over four years, the Pelicans have not yet extended this lucrative offer to Ingram.
Ingram, who is set to earn $36 million in the 2024-25 season, finds himself in a complex financial situation shaped by the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement. The agreement introduces restrictions on how teams can handle salaries if their payroll exceeds the first apron of $178.1 million. For teams over the second apron of $188.9 million, aggregating multiple players' salaries in a trade is no longer an option.
Pelicans' Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, David Griffin, didn't shy away from acknowledging these financial challenges. "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," Griffin remarked. "At the same time, there is a financial reality to this... we’re committed to each other."
A Balancing Act
Griffin elaborated on the unique financial pressures the Pelicans face. "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," he explained. This underscores the notion that while the Pelicans want to retain their top talent, they must navigate the complexities of the salary cap intricacies to build a sustainable and competitive roster.
The financial constraints have led both the Pelicans and Ingram's camp to explore potential trade scenarios involving a max extension with other teams. This cautious approach highlights the tightrope the organization must walk to keep their team competitive while managing financial restrictions.
Key Roster Changes
The Pelicans have also been active in reshaping their roster. They acquired Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, a move that came at a cost. The team lost Larry Nance Jr. in the transition and let Jonas Valanciunas go in free agency. This has left the Pelicans with a need to bolster their frontcourt depth, hoping that a mix of Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will fill the void.
Ingram's journey with the Pelicans has seen its own ups and downs. When he first joined the team, he was making 42% of his 4.2 catch-and-shoot three-point attempts per game. However, these attempts have steadily declined each year. More recently, Ingram hyperextended his left knee just a few weeks before the end of the last regular season, marking another setback in his tenure with the team. Griffin acknowledged the burden placed on Ingram's shoulders following the injury to Zion Williamson during the play-in tournament. "Brandon went from not playing to, 'OK, now you have to carry us.' It was a really bad situation for Brandon," he said.
Strategic Adjustments
Moving forward, the Pelicans are contemplating a shift in their strategic approach. "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," said Griffin. This indicates a potential pivot in the team's playing style, likely to maximize their strengths and mitigate the gaps left by recent roster changes.
Amid this strategic evolution, Griffin remains optimistic. "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," he asserted. The Pelicans' commitment to making deliberate and calculated decisions signals a nuanced understanding of the challenges inherent in building a competitive NBA team while maintaining financial prudence.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how the Pelicans navigate these complex dynamics, both on and off the court.