Report: Brandon Ingram to wait until 2024 to discuss long-term extension with Pelicans

Report: Brandon Ingram to wait until 2024 to discuss long-term extension with Pelicans

Even though New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is currently eligible to sign a large extension this offseason, it was reported by Christian Clark of NOLA.com Wednesday that Ingram will wait until the 2024 offseason to discuss a new deal with the team.

Clark reports there’s no “anxiety” about wanting to get Ingram signed immediately. It all comes down to the dollar amount: If Ingram waits until next season, the dollar amount considerably increases versus signing one this offseason.

Ingram signed a four-year, $158.3 max extension with the Pelicans ahead of the 2020-21 season, over a year after getting flipped from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade. The 6-foot-8 forward is due to make $33.8 million this season and $36.0 million in 2024-25 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

Ingram, 26, is eligible for a three-year, $163 million extension with the team right now, starting at ~$50.4 million (140 percent of his 36.0M salary). But an extension signed next offseason makes him eligible for a four-year, $226 million extension or, in the off-chance that Ingram makes an All-NBA next season, a $334 million supermax extension (assuming 10 percent cap increases each year).

Per the new CBA, to qualify for an All-NBA team, Ingram would have to play at least 65 games this upcoming season, something he’s only done once in his career. Though Ingram’s played at least 80 percent of his team’s games (a 65-game pace over 82) three times over his seven-year career.

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There’s no guarantee that, assuming Ingram makes an All-NBA team in 2023-24, the Pelicans would offer anywhere near the $334 supermax with the possible second-apron limitations. Hypothetically, in the first year of Ingram’s new extension, the Pelicans would still have CJ McCollum on the books for one additional season ($30.7M) and Zion Williamson for three more ($126.5M).

That doesn’t include Herb Jones–who won’t be eligible for an extension until after 2025-26–and Dyson Daniels, who is eligible for a rookie scale extension after 2024-25.

The aforementioned extension north of $220 million is much more feasible, though it’s difficult to rule anything out after Williamson received a five-year $197.2 rookie max extension after playing 85 games across his first three seasons.

Brandon Ingram is coming off a very disappointing Team USA stint in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but is still a very good wing. He averaged 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists last season, shooting 48.4 percent from the floor, 39.0 percent from distance and 88.2 percent from the free-throw line (58.2 TS%).

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