It appears Brandon Ingram will spend his summer packing. Despite averaging more than 23 points per game for the New Orleans Pelicans over the past five seasons, reports indicate the North Carolina native and former Duke star is on the way out in the Big Easy.
The 26-year-old forward is entering the last year of his contract, which pays him $36 million a season. Ingram is eligible for a max deal after the 2024-25 campaign that would net him $52 million annually for four years. However, NBC Sports reported that thatās more than the Pels want to pay.
As trade talks intensify, BetCarolina.com used our North Carolina sports betting mindset and established the following odds for where Ingram may play this fall.
Brandon Ingram Trade Rumors
Team | Percentage Chance | Odds |
Sacramento Kings | 11.1% | +800 |
Golden State Warriors | 6.3% | +1500 |
Los Angeles Lakers | 5.4% | +1750 |
Cleveland Cavaliers | 3.8% | +2500 |
Houston Rockets | 3.8% | +2500 |
The Field / Stay With Pelicans | 69.2% | -225 |
These odds are for infotainment purposes only. You will not find them at any licensed sports betting app, such as BetMGM North Carolina sportsbook.
What Brandon Ingram Offers
In each of his five seasons in New Orleans, Ingram posted a scoring average of at least 20 points per game. This past season, he was one of only 10 NBA players to average 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game.
Durability may be an issue, though. The 64 games Ingram played this past season were the most he played in a Pelicans uniform. He missed 12 games toward the end of the regular season with a knee contusion. While he returned for the postseason, he averaged just 14.3 points and shot just 34.5% in four games as Oklahoma City swept New Orleans.
Still, when healthy, Ingram can contribute to a teamās success in several ways. He shot 53.4% inside the arc this season and 80.1% from the free throw line. This past season also was not a fluke. Heās exceeded 20-5-5 in each of the past three seasons and barely missed it in 2020-21 when he averaged 4.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists.
Where Ingram May Land
The Sacramento Kings stand out as a team that could benefit from Ingramās abilities. Despite already playing eight seasons in the NBA, Ingram will just be 28 when teams start their preseason camps. That means heāll fit in nicely with the Kingsā young core. Golden State could be an option as the Warriors missed out on getting Paul George, who recently signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
If youāre looking for a team not listed above as an option, then consider the Miami Heat. Bleacher Report mentioned Ingram would solve some of the Heatās problems on offense, which was fifth-worst in the NBA averaging 110.1 points per contest. No other team that made the playoffs had a lower average.
Acquiring Ingram could boost any teamās postseason chances for next season. Caesars North Carolina Sportsbook gives the Kings odds of +7000 to win the title next season. The Las Vegas-based operator lists the Pelicans at +5000, the Heat at +4500, and the Warriors at +3500.
USA Today photo by Stephen Lew.
