The canary in Minnesota’s coal mine was Brandon Ingram . In June, the New Orleans Pelicans traded one of their centers ( Larry Nance Jr. ) for Dejounte Murray , a player who replicates a significant chunk of what Ingram does offensively, and allowed the other ( Jonas Valanciunas ) to walk in free agency. They could not have more clearly telegraphed their intention with that decision. Murray was introduced to replace Ingram’s shot-making. Herb Jones and Trey Murphy are ready to play his position. The center position was left entirely vacant. The goal after acquiring Murray was to flip Ingram in a deal that included a replacement center. The Pelicans were more than justified in assuming such a deal would be out there. It’s not usually hard to trade 27-year-old wings who have made an All-Star team.
It’s September and Brandon Ingram is still a Pelican, and money is the simplest reason why. Ingram is an impending 2025 free agent that is eligible for an extension. It doesn’t make sense for New Orleans to pay him, but the rest of the market is scared to do so as well. Before the 2023 CBA, it was the sort of contract you offered thoughtlessly. It was the Zach LaVine or Bradley Beal max, a decision to retain an asset regardless of price. But in the new world? No way. Ingram is too flawed. His defense and playmaking are too inconsistent. His shot selection is all wrong. The injuries come too frequently. You can’t pay a $35 million player $50 million. It’s a non-starter, no matter how excited most teams would be just to have a $35 million player. That’s how a 27-year-old All-Star became nearly untradeable overnight.