New Orleans Pelicans Rumors: Pels ‘Likely’ to Lose 2 Key Players Due to Awkward Fit With Zion Williamson

According to Mike Scotto of HoopsHype , Brandon Ingram is expected to be traded to another team this offseason. Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas might find himself on another team because the New Orleans Pelicans aren’t reportedly keen on bringing him back.

“Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is considered the most likely player to be traded by rival executives who spoke with HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote about Ingram. “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.”

“There’s a sense Jonas Valanciunas won’t return as a Pelican this offseason in free agency, I’m told. While he’s still a double-double threat, he’s not an ideal fit for this roster, and his near double-double production will likely be more valued by other teams on the unrestricted free-agent market,” Scotto said about Valanciunas.

Should the New Orleans Pelicans keep/let go of Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas?

One of the reasons why the New Orleans Pelicans are thinking about letting go of Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas is because they don’t fit well in their current squad.

Brandon Ingram reportedly had a row with head coach Willie Green during Game 2 of the New Orleans Pelicans’ first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, in which they were swept, because the 26-year-old forward reportedly felt he wasn’t being utilized well on offense.

As for Jonas Valanciunas, who is set to hit free agency this summer, he split center minutes with Larry Nance Jr. and was often benched down the stretch because he operates in the paint and clogs the lane for Zion Willamson.

If the New Orleans Pelicans decide to trade Ingram and let Valanciunas walk, there will be more minutes for Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III.