[Saba Sports News] The New Orleans Pelicans have been “actively” trying to trade Brandon Ingram since last offseason, according to a report by prominent sports reporter Brian Windhorst. However, Ingram’s $36 million salary has been difficult to match and his desire to join a team willing to offer him a new contract at or near the maximum salary, so far a deal has failed to come together.
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Winhorst mentioned that the Pelicans want to trade away Ingram’s high salary, reduce the salary burden, and reduce the team’s luxury tax expenses. Still, finding a team that could meet the Pelicans’ trade needs while still making Ingram willing to sign a new contract was the main reason for the holdout. Pelican clearly doesn’t plan to be in the luxury tax limbo for long, which is one of the reasons the deal didn’t come together.
Meanwhile, sports reporter Tim Bontemps noted, “A 6-8 forward like Ingram, who has averaged more than 20 points per game for six straight seasons, might need a big-money contract next summer. However, only a few teams have enough cap space, and most are reluctant to subject themselves to the hard salary cap by making trades early in the season. For some teams that hit the second luxury tax line, they can’t even trade for him.”
As the season progresses and Ingram’s trade prospects remain unclear, it remains an open question whether the Pelicans can resolve the impasse.