After failing to live up to expectations during the playoffs, rumors have swirled about New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram being traded in the offseason. This prompted the team’s executive vice president, David Griffin, to give an update about the one-time All-Star.
Ingram was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2016 NBA Draft. In his three seasons with the Lakers, he showed steady improvement, earning a spot on the 2017 NBA All-Rookie Second Team. In 2019, Ingram was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a package for one-time champion Anthony Davis.
![New Orleans Pelicans Boss Drops Update on Brandon Ingram's Future Amid Trade Buzz 1 New Orleans Pelicans, Brandon Ingram](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_22814299.jpg)
In the 2019-20 season, he was named an NBA All-Star for the first time and won the NBA Most Improved Player award. He averaged career-highs of 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Ingram continued his strong play in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, averaging over 20 points per game both years.
The lanky forward’s skillset blossomed in New Orleans, as he developed into an elite scoring wing with the ability to create his own shot off the dribble. His combination of size, length, and shooting touch makes him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. At just 26 years old, Ingram is establishing himself as one of the NBA’s rising young stars.
New Orleans Pelicans’ David Griffin Reveals Update on Brandon Ingram’s Future With the Team
![New Orleans Pelicans Boss Drops Update on Brandon Ingram's Future Amid Trade Buzz 2 New Orleans Pelicans, Brandon Ingram](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23004396_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
During the playoffs, New Orleans missed Zion Williamson due to an injury. As a result, the team counted on Ingram to handle most of the scoring load, but failed to lift the Pelicans up against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
After weeks of speculation, New Orleans executive vice president David Griffin gave an update on Ingram’s situation with the team. In a tweet by Will Guillory on X:
David Griffin: “Brandon (Ingram) wants to stay here. He believes in what we’re building. That’s meaningful to us. … At the same time, there’s a financial reality that we all deal with. We’re excited about Brandon. We know he’s excited about us,” Guillory tweeted.
Over the course of 64 games last season, the forward averaged 20.8 points on 49 percent shooting from the field, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. Those numbers fell down hard during the Thunder’s first-round sweep of NOLA as Ingram only notched 14.3 points on 34 percent shooting from the field, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per contest.
![New Orleans Pelicans Boss Drops Update on Brandon Ingram's Future Amid Trade Buzz 3 New Orleans Pelicans, Brandon Ingram](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23025599.jpg)
It remains to be seen whether the Pelicans can deal Ingram in the coming months or he stays with the team next season. In any case, Griffin’s take will surely point to the best interests of the team over that of the young forward.
![New Orleans Pelicans Boss Drops Update on Brandon Ingram's Future Amid Trade Buzz 4 New Orleans Pelicans, Brandon Ingram](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_23084595-scaled.jpg)
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