Having signed his current five-year contract with the Pelicans during the 2020 offseason, Brandon Ingram became eligible for a veteran extension earlier this summer. However, multiple sources tell Christian Clark of NOLA.com that Ingram will wait until the 2024 offseason to explore a new deal with the team.
Ingram’s decision isn’t related to his desire to remain in New Orleans long-term — he’ll simply be eligible for a more lucrative extension next offseason than he is now, particularly if he makes an All-NBA team in 2023/24. Within the organization, there’s no “anxiety” about Ingram’s desire to hold off on contract talks until next summer, Clark notes.
Ingram will earn $33.8MM this coming season and a little over $36MM in 2024/25 before his current contract expires. He could sign a three-year extension this offseason that could be worth up to 30% of the ’25/26 cap. If we assume 10% salary cap increases for each of the next two seasons, that would work out to about $160MM.
If Ingram were to wait until next offseason to sign a new contract, his maximum extension would increase to a projected $221MM for four years (based on 10% annual cap increases). If he makes an All-NBA team and becomes eligible for a super-max contract, his maximum extension would jump to $334MM for five years (again, based on 10% cap increases).
There’s no guarantee that the Pelicans would be willing to make that substantial an offer when the time comes, but the fact that Ingram could lock in significantly more guaranteed money by waiting explains why he’s not rushing to sign an extension before the ’23/24 season begins. Once opening night arrives next month, Ingram will become ineligible to sign an extension until the start of the 2024 offseason.
An All-NBA season in 2023/24 is probably a long shot for a player who has made just one All-Star team through seven years in the league, but the fact that players must appear in at least 65 games this season to qualify for an All-NBA team could open up the door for someone like Ingram. Conversely, of course, Ingram himself hasn’t played more than 65 games in a season since 2017, so the 26-year-old will need to stay healthier this year in order to have a chance to be an All-NBA candidate.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Ingram averaged a career-high 24.7 points, 5.8 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in 34.2 minutes per game (45 appearances) in 2022/23, posting a shooting line of .484/.390/.882.
Haha, who is the doofus that said NOP was going to trade Zion for Lillard and build a Dame and Ingram combo? Ahahahahah
Aren’t you a blind fan of the franchise that spent $70 million a year on FVV and Dillion Brooks? Might want to be careful with that doofus tag my friend
Miami got FVV and Brooks? Nice!!!
He wants to go chase a title somewhere else cause New Orleans isn’t ever going to win one.
Or maybe it’s one of the other 61-184 million reasons he has not to sign an extension this off season.
Terrible and uneducated take on Ingram. Completely agree with taco.
Explain why that’s a terrible take, genius. I get called uneducated all the time here but I’m sure everyone saying that isn’t a professor and hasn’t gone to college.
My guess is when he already has so much earned in his career he would take less for a ring on a good team in a city he likes.
You didn’t even attempt to read the article that YOU clicked on. Taco is right and you don’t even know the point he made.
I did read it and think winning might be more important to some than just more $ when he’s already in the 1%. New Orleans is never going to win anything, even if everyone is healthy they aren’t contenders. Not everyone would be fine losing forever even when they’re paid top dollar.
LOL. Imagine telling on yourself regularly being called “uneducated” in a sports-related comment section, only to say “I’m sure everyone saying that isn’t a professor and hasn’t gone to college”… congrats, you played yourself. The irony is hilarious. Using the actual article as a backdrop, this is a terrible take on B.I., indeed, like Taco and Washington said.
Ok professor. My point was that everyone in these comments is on equal footing and none of our opinions actually matter to anyone important. Maybe he cares about more than just $ and wants to win the game unlike most of the greedy people arguing with me. If his skinny leg breaks then he won’t sniff that 221 or 334 contract either.
He gone
My guess is he wants to wait and check Zion’s health AND commitment next year before making a decision. Another year with thirty-something games from the franchise player would make it easier for him to reject it, and he may even ask for a trade next year
He’s a nice player. But not a fan. He plays one way. And is not a closer. He’s not a max player to me. Problem is he thinks he is.
He misses 1/4 of every season too, just because teams can fit 3 max players (4 for phoenix) doesn’t mean there’s 90-120 players actually worth it.
Yup …. totally agree. You sign the wrong max guy. And you could be done for a few yrs. Zion ????
Jaylen Brown’s max deal looks like a no brainer if Ingraham gets a max extension.