Brandon Ingram’s trade from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Toronto Raptors in February marked a significant moment for the forward’s career, as explained by his agent Rich Paul. The trade, which took place after years of the Pelicans trying to move Ingram, proved to be a crucial decision for Ingram’s professional future and financial security. According to Paul, the Brandon Ingram trade Toronto Raptors deal offered Ingram a contract worth $40 million per year for the next three seasons, a sum unlikely to have been matched if he had entered free agency.
Rich Paul, in an interview with Sirius XM, emphasized the limited options available for Ingram in the open market, suggesting that the trade provided a stability Ingram might not have otherwise achieved.
“I felt like had he got to the open market there was not much opportunity there,” Paul said. “So he’s making $40 million per year over the next three years. That probably wouldn’t have been there for him had we got to quote-unquote free agency.” —Rich Paul, Agent
“If you can star in a role, you can position yourself for a long time.” —Rich Paul, Agent
Brandon Ingram’s Career with the New Orleans Pelicans
Brandon Ingram spent six seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, emerging as a key player despite the team’s challenges. Over that span, he averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, showcasing his scoring and playmaking abilities on efficient shooting splits of 47% from the field, 37% from three-point range, and 85% from the free-throw line. His standout season came in 2019-20, when he earned his sole All-Star selection while averaging 23.8 points per game.
However, Ingram’s potential to become a perennial All-Star was affected by the Pelicans’ injury issues, especially those involving Zion Williamson, which stalled team success and limited Ingram’s visibility. His final season with New Orleans was also hampered by injury, restricting him to just 18 games.
The Pelicans’ Outlook Following Ingram’s Departure
Entering the 2024-25 NBA season, the New Orleans Pelicans had higher hopes with new additions like Dejounte Murray complementing a roster that included Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and Jose Alvarado. Unfortunately, injuries continued to derail the team, severely impacting multiple key players such as Murray, Ingram, Williamson, Murphy III, and Jones, leading to one of the franchise’s most injury-plagued seasons.
With Ingram no longer on the roster, the burden now falls heavily on Zion Williamson to lead the team, a role intensified by reports questioning Williamson’s commitment to conditioning. The Pelicans face mounting pressure to see Williamson develop consistency or consider moving on if the situation does not improve.
Implications of the Trade for Ingram and the Raptors
Brandon Ingram’s transfer to the Toronto Raptors not only secured him a lucrative contract but also positioned him in a fresh environment to revive his career. Rich Paul’s remarks highlight the strategic nature of the trade as a safeguard against uncertainties in the free-agent market. For the Raptors, acquiring Ingram presents an opportunity to strengthen their lineup with an experienced scorer capable of contributing at a high level.
The trade underscores the challenges faced by the Pelicans amid injuries and roster changes, while it gives Ingram a renewed chance to flourish in Toronto’s system. As the Raptors integrate Ingram, the team and player alike will look to translate this move into on-court success in the coming seasons.