The Toronto Raptors recently finalized a high-profile trade, acquiring Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans and immediately securing him with a three-year, $120 million contract extension. Despite the excitement around this acquisition, a well-known <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA analyst cautions that Ingram’s history of missed games could dampen Toronto’s expectations for the upcoming season. The focus on Brandon Ingram Raptors trade impact has become a pivotal talking point as the team aims to exceed their 37.5 win over/under forecast.

On the ALL NBA Podcast with Adam Mares, former NBA sharpshooter and ESPN analyst Tim Legler expressed serious doubts about Ingram’s ability to stay healthy throughout the season. He highlighted Ingram’s playing time trends as a significant risk for the Raptors’ overall success.

Brandon Ingram over the last four years has been available in 56% of his team’s games,

Legler noted.

56%. And the two years before that, he played 60. So, like, you can just pencil it in. I mean, he’s going to miss a large chunk of the season.

—Tim Legler, ESPN analyst

Since entering the NBA nine years ago, Ingram has only once played 65 or more games in a season, occurring during his rookie year with the Los Angeles Lakers. His tenure with the Pelicans has been marked by three seasons with 55 games or fewer played, underscoring his frequent absences on the court.

Impact on Toronto Raptors’ Expected Performance This Season

Legler argued that Ingram’s absence could prevent the Raptors from surpassing last season’s 30 wins. Though Ingram possesses the talent to elevate Toronto closer to a .500 record if he could consistently stay on the floor, his injury history strongly suggests otherwise. The Raptors face an uphill battle in improving their win total with such uncertainty surrounding their new star.

Now, if Brandon Ingram played 75 games last year with his skill level and what this team needs … I might even think this team [Toronto Raptors], hey, man, they might be a .500 team because he’s that talented, but he’s just never available. I don’t know, they won 30 (last season). I don’t know how you figure they’re going to win eight more games. So I’m taking the under.

—Tim Legler, ESPN analyst

Adam Mares, co-host on the ALL NBA Podcast, concurred with Legler’s assessment, expressing reservations about the cohesiveness and construction of the Raptors’ roster in its current form. He predicted the team’s win total will likely fall short of the optimistic projection.

I’m taking the under as well,

Mares stated.

I don’t love the roster and how it comes together, but they do have a lot of players that I really like. They’re starting five. It is all good players. Do I like the way it comes together? Not at all … I’m with you. I don’t see what is meaningfully different about them this year, 37.5 feels high. I think they win 35 or so somewhere around there.

—Adam Mares, ALL NBA Podcast co-host

The New Orleans Pelicans’ Transition After Trading Ingram

The Pelicans now enter a new phase with their win total over/under set at 31.5, representing an ambitious goal compared to last season’s disappointing 21-61 record. New Orleans hopes to improve by at least 11 games, relying on emerging pieces such as newly acquired guard Jordan Poole and star forward Zion Williamson. Rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen are anticipated to also play key roles as part of a young and developing squad.

Before last season’s struggles, the Pelicans enjoyed moderate consistency, winning at least 35 games in each of three consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2024. Their most successful campaign came in 2023-24 with a 49-33 record, though it ended with a first-round exit against the league’s top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

Outlook on the Raptors and Pelicans Moving Forward

While the Raptors aimed to strengthen their lineup through the Brandon Ingram Raptors trade impact, the potential for injury-related setbacks casts doubt on their ability to reach or exceed a 38-win season. Ingram’s inconsistent availability remains a critical factor shaping expectations in Toronto, especially given the roster’s uncertain chemistry.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans hope their rebuilding efforts and infusion of new talent can restore competitiveness and surpass last year’s disappointing results. Both franchises face pivotal seasons defined by their recent roster changes, with fans and analysts closely monitoring the results of these strategic gambles.