Creative Brandon Ingram contract extension options with Pelicans

The ping pong balls of fate have decided the NBA Draft Lottery once again. The last thing for the league to settle is the crowning of a champion but the NBA Finals are still weeks away from tipping off. Franchises and players no longer fighting for a title are starting to their hands and the New Orleans Pelicans are no different. Their next thing to settle is a possible Brandon Ingram contract extension and both sides can afford to get creative.

Well, the Pelicans may have a coach to replace as well but the focus here is on the court. Ingram’s exit interview was telling in that not much time was spent talking about a possible contract extension. The Duke alum will clear just over $36 million for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign. The first year of any new deal can be at least 30% and no more than 35% of the salary cap, which puts Ingram at approximately $42.3 million (30%) for the 2025-26 season.

Ingram is unlikely to ever hit the All-NBA threshold required to account for 35% of the cap. Still, his pay can increase or decrease by up to 8% of the salary in the first year of the extension. With one year left on the current agreement, Ingram can also get up to four extra years of security.

At the absolute top end of all parameters, the Pelicans can offer Ingram a four-year extension worth over $200 million depending on any new league broadcasting deals. The following is a rough outline of a new deal assuming the league salary cap rises the full max of 10% each year, no incentives are factored in, and Ingram starts at 30% of the cap.

• 2025-26: $42.3 million
• 2026-27: $46.7 million
• 2027-28: $53.8 million
• 2028-29: $58.5 million

That’s an average of over $50 million per year for a one-time All-Star who has missed 82 games over the past three seasons. However, Ingram is likely not worth nor getting another full max-level contract extension offer from New Orleans.

Pelicans can play hardball, hear out trade offers

Marc Stein reports the Pelicans will be “aggressive” in exploring Ingram trade packages this summer. That does not mean New Orleans will never turn back to considering keeping him in the fold. The Pelicans can afford to wait until the next trade deadline, once they see a new supporting cast around Williamson and Ingram. (Perhaps CJ McCollum winds up the odd man out in that scenario.)

New Orleans never topped 92 points against Oklahoma City, averaging a paltry 93.5 points per 100 possessions in the series sweep. No other NBA Playoffs squad scored less than 100 points per 100 possessions. Ingram had a two-game breakout against the Phoenix Suns two years ago but put up a dud against the Thunder. His value on the market based on those performances has never been lower.

A max-level contract is not too much to ask but it is too much for the organization to give all things considered. If that’s the demand, the front office will have to bite the bullet on a trade. First, the franchise is notorious for ducking under the luxury tax and Ingram has proven to be a level below elite in the NBA Playoffs as a leading option. The front office needs a bit of flexibility to build around Zion Williamson regardless of what happens with Ingram’s negotiations. However, that’s a reason to get crafty, for both sides.

It will be tough to start Ingram’s next deal at the same 25% level as his last extension. He will require at least a slight pay raise from $36 million next year. The Pelicans can approach Ingram with $38-40 million and the team being in the same on-the-cusp situation. New Orleans is willing to tack “more years onto Ingram’s contract but not at his full maximum amount,” according to The Times-Picayune reporter Christian Clark, who added there was contact with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks before the trade deadline in February.

As previously reported during the first-round series, Ingram’s agent practically has 80% of a max-level deal in the bag. Ingram’s absence down the stretch highlighted his importance to the team just as much as wilting in the postseason lowered the market value. There are not many players like Ingram on the planet, so there will be a franchise willing to splash out a $180-190 million extension. It’s that extra 15% that is at stake.

Brandon Ingram possibly enticed by a shorter deal