The New Orleans Pelicans and Brandon Ingram are not on the same page.
It is the worst kept secret in basketball that the front office has repeatedly tried to move him this summer. Unfortunately, a deal simply hasn’t materialized that works for all sides.
As recently as last month, the Los Angeles Lakers were linked to a three-team trade that would result in Ingram landing back in L.A. Despite that, nothing has gone down since then.
This weekend Ingram began showing outward signs of frustration.
Ingram’s most recent social media post speaks for itself:
Ah… the NBA is real quiet, literally nothing happening… All the trades seem to be done…
Oh hey Brandon Ingram Just posted this! pic.twitter.com/kXfNpndGZV
— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) August 30, 2024
For what it’s worth, David Griffin has remained steadfast that Ingram will return to the Pelicans in 2024.
“Brandon wants to stay here,” Griffin said not long ago.
“He believes in what we are building. That’s meaningful to him. That’s meaningful to his agent. At the same time, there is a financial reality that we all deal with. I think we’re excited about Brandon. We know he’s excited about us. Usually, those things yield good results one way or the other.”
Clearly Ingram doesn’t quite feel that way, though.
Understandably, he is probably tired of the back and forth that is occurring where his long-term future in New Orleans is constantly in doubt.
Will Ingram be able to force a trade to the Lakers? An answer one way or the other is coming over the next few weeks.
Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
