Brandon Ingram’s future is one of the hottest topics this offseason, and everyone’s buzzing about where he might land.
Ingram to Golden State? Not So Fast!
So, here’s the deal: Brandon Ingram’s name has been swirling around the rumor mill, with a lot of chatter linking him to the Warriors. But according to Monte Poole from NBC Sports Bay Area, the chances of Ingram suiting up for Golden State are pretty slim. Poole points out that since the Kevin Durant era, the Warriors have been cautious with their moves, like when they brought in Kelly Oubre Jr. back in 2020. They’re not looking to shake things up too much unless it’s a sure thing.
Check this out:
Brandon Ingram did not attend a week-long voluntary minicamp held by the Pelicans players in California, per @WillGuillory
The minicamp featured every player on the roster except Ingram and recent signee Daniel Theis.
The Pelicans believed Ingram would be there, but he never…
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
Poole explains that the Warriors are wary of making big moves that could mess with their chemistry or cost them a ton of draft picks. Ingram, despite his talent, doesn’t seem to hit that “must-have” level for them.
Big Money Talks in New Orleans
Meanwhile, Ingram’s current squad, the Pelicans, are trying to lock him down with a hefty extension. Word on the street is that he’s eyeing a four-year deal worth over $200 million. Marc Stein spilled the beans back in July, saying Ingram wants $208 million to stay put. And it sounds like the Pelicans are on board, with VP David Griffin saying, “We’ve been really clear, we’d prefer Brandon stay with us.”
But here’s the kicker: even though both sides seem to want the same thing, nothing’s set in stone yet. Griffin admits they’re just gonna “play it out” for now.
Pelicans’ Game Plan
The Pelicans have been busy, bringing in Dejounte Murray and locking down other key players for the upcoming season. Griffin mentioned there’s a “financial reality” to keeping everyone happy, and it might not align perfectly with what Ingram and his camp want. I think this could get tricky because balancing a roster and a budget isn’t easy, especially with a star player in the mix.
Here’s a little snippet from Griffin: “There is a financial reality to this. And where I think we can go in terms of keeping this group together, might not be as far as he and his agency would like us to be able to go.”
Speaking of trades, did you catch that wild Curry rumor? Anyway, back to Ingram…
What’s Next for Ingram?
Ingram’s about to kick off his 9th NBA season, and with his stats – 20.8 points, 49.2% shooting, 5.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game – he’s bound to attract plenty of interest. But where will he end up? Will the Pelicans meet his demands, or will he be rocking a new jersey next season?
So, what do you think? Is Ingram staying put in New Orleans, or is he headed for greener pastures?