Brandon Ingram is on the move! He has been traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Toronto Raptors, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
In exchange, the Pelicans receive Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick.
Ingram, 27, has been dealing with injuries lately. He last played on December 7 after spraining his ankle against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Before that, he missed six games due to foot tendinitis. Fortunately, he aims to return to the court in the next two weeks.
As a nine-year veteran, Ingram is in the final year of a contract worth $36 million. He can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Last summer, he was eligible for a hefty four-year, $208 million deal, but the Pelicans chose not to extend that offer. This decision has made him a target for trades, although there hasn’t been much interest in a max contract from other teams.
Ingram has had a solid season so far, averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across 18 games, shooting 37% from three-point range. His performance matches his contributions since joining the Pelicans, with averages of 23 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in six seasons. Overall, he boasts career averages of 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
Toronto is looking to strengthen its roster. They want another scorer to pair with young talents like Scottie Barnes and Gradey Dick, and possibly add more firepower from the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. If Ingram signs an extension, the Raptors might let Chris Boucher go in free agency and could also explore trades involving Jacob Poeltl and RJ Barrett.
As for the Pelicans, Brown brings versatility. He’s a guard with the skills of a power forward, known for his strong defense, rebounding, and playmaking. He started his season late, debuting on December 29 against the Atlanta Hawks. His performance has dipped slightly this year, likely due to a changing role on a struggling team.
Brown previously made a name for himself with the Pacers after a key season with the Denver Nuggets, contributing significantly to their championship run last year. He started 31 games during the regular season but played off the bench in the playoffs.
Olynyk, now on his third team in two seasons, adds depth to the roster. This season, he is averaging 7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in a backup role.
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