The New Orleans Pelicans are at a crossroads. Less than a year after they appeared to be turning a corner, the Pelicans have sunk to the depths of the NBA. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the front office faces several pivotal decisions that will shape the franchise’s future. At the center of it all is Brandon Ingram, the talented scorer who has been a key piece of the team’s core but no longer realistically fits within the long-term vision.
The reality is clear: the Pelicans must move Ingram before the deadline. Keeping him past this season would create a financial strain for a team that hasn’t won a playoff series since he arrived and could be moving farther away from contention. It would also slow the growth of Trey Murphy III, a rising star who has replicated Ingram’s production and who is both younger and cheaper. If David Griffin is serious about turning the Pelicans into a sustainable contender, an Ingram trade isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity.
Cash Rules Everything Around Me…
One of the biggest reasons the Pelicans need to move Ingram is money. Even if the Pelicans don’t add another player and let contracts expire, the team is projected to be deep in the luxury tax next season, and re-signing Ingram only worsens the situation. Ingram is making $33.8 million this season, and with his contract expiring, he’s eligible for an extension that could be worth over $50 million annually. No matter what he or his camp says, Ingram wants as much of that money as possible.
For a small-market team like New Orleans, handing Ingram that type of contract to a player who cannot be the lead option on a championship contender would be franchise-crippling. The Pelicans would have little flexibility to improve the roster around Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum (if he stays). With Dejounte Murray out for the rest of this season and possibly most of next season, the Pels still need a point guard and depth for one of the smallest frontcourts in the NBA.
Luxury tax concerns aren’t just theoretical—they have real consequences. If New Orleans retains Ingram and gives him an extension, they risk limiting their ability to add depth and plug the holes in the roster. Ownership has historically been hesitant to pay the luxury tax, with good reason, and locking into a long-term deal for Ingram would force the team to make painful sacrifices without necessarily getting better.
With other teams, including the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets, reportedly interested in Ingram, now is the time to move before the situation only becomes more difficult to navigate. The Pelicans have already missed their opportunity to maximize Ingram’s trade value, they can’t afford to repeat the mistake they made with Lonzo Ball, who was also headed to free agency. The Pelicans ended up losing a first-round pick to acquire Devante Graham. We know how that turned out.
Trey Murphy III has arrived
Beyond the financial reasons, there’s an even bigger on-court reason for the Pelicans to move on from Ingram: Trey Murphy III.
Over the past two seasons, Trey Murphy has gone from a 3&D project to a potential All-Star. He has emerged as one of the NBA’s best young wings, excelling as a shooter, defender, and all-around contributor. His ability to space the floor is exactly what the Pelicans need alongside Zion, and his defensive versatility makes him a much better long-term fit than Ingram.
Ingram’s presence on the roster limits Murphy’s role. As a ball-dominant scorer, Ingram commands a high usage rate and often disrupts the offensive flow. While he’s a talented isolation player, his fit alongside Zion has always been awkward, with both players operating best in similar spots on the floor.
Murphy, on the other hand, is as good a teammate as New Orleans has found to pair with Williamson. His ability to play off the ball, knock down three-pointers at an elite clip, and defend multiple positions makes him an ideal complement to Zion. The Pelicans have already seen glimpses of what Murphy can do when given a larger role—now it’s time to find out what he’s capable of when handed the reins on a full-time basis. That won’t happen unless Ingram is moved.
The Trade Market and Potential Returns
The bad news for the Pelicans is that while there may be multiple teams that could use Ingram’s scoring and shot creation, making a move isn’t going to be easy. The Athletic has reported that the Pelicans have engaged in trade discussions with potential suitors including the Warriors, Hornets, and other teams looking for an offensive boost.
For the Pelicans, the goal in any trade should be to acquire assets that better fit their long-term vision. Winning the trade is likely no longer an option. So, finding a defensive-minded wing, another point guard, or securing reasonable draft capital are the priorities.
One intriguing scenario could involve the Golden State Warriors, who are looking to shake up their roster and have been linked to Ingram in trade rumors. A deal involving young assets like Jonathan Kuminga or Moses Moody, along with salary filler, could make sense for both sides.
Another possibility is the Charlotte Hornets, a team that could use a player like Ingram, a North Carolina native, to accelerate their rebuild around LaMelo Ball. The Pelicans could also look to Detroit, which has seen a major turnaround in year one under former New Orleans general manager Trajan Langdon.
Regardless of the specific trade partner, the bottom line is this: the Pelicans can’t afford to let the deadline pass with Brandon Ingram still on the roster. Keeping Ingram beyond the deadline only delays the inevitable separation of the two sides.
Brandon Ingram has been an important part of the Pelicans’ journey, he gave fans in New Orleans plenty of memories, but his time in New Orleans is coming to an end. With the team facing luxury tax concerns and the emergence of Trey Murphy III demanding more minutes and opportunities, the writing is on the wall: Ingram needs to be moved.
It would be a disappointing end to a partnership that began with such high aspirations. Unfortunately for Pelicans fans, that’s a painfully familiar scenario. They can only hope that this time, it will be for the better in the long run.
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Tough to see him go but the writing is on the wall.