Former Lakers Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, whose 2018/19 seasons ended early due to health issues, have been full participants in the Pelicans‘ voluntary offseason workouts in New Orleans, a source tells Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com.
Ingram was shut down in March due to a blood clot, while Ball hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since January as a result of an ankle injury. The fact that both players are participating in workouts without restrictions is great news for the Pelicans, who acquired the duo – plus Josh Hart and a handful of draft picks – in the summer’s blockbuster Anthony Davis trade.
Ingram is technically eligible to sign a rookie scale extension up until October 21, the day before the regular season begins. However, the Pelicans are unlikely to make a long-term commitment to him before he appears in a single regular season game for the club. In the 2020 offseason, after New Orleans’ decision-makers have had a full year to evaluate the duo, Ingram will be a restricted free agent and Ball will be eligible for an extension of his own.
Here’s more on the Pelicans:
- Appearing on ESPN’s Lowe Post podcast with Zach Lowe this week, new Pelicans sharpshooter J.J. Redick cited a desire to play with Jrue Holiday as one reason why he signed with New Orleans, despite the fact that he didn’t have a pre-existing relationship with Holiday and hadn’t played with him in the past. Redick also said that he hopes to play a lot for the Pelicans this season, but doesn’t care whether he starts or comes off the bench.
- The Erie BayHawks – New Orleans’ new G League affiliate – confirmed this week in a press release that Marc Chasanoff will be the team’s general manager. The BayHawks also announced several other members of their basketball operations staff, including Billy Campbell as assistant GM.
- After helping to build up the Long Island Nets during his time in Brooklyn, new Pelicans assistant GM Trajan Langdon will look to do the same with New Orleans’ new G League team. William Guillory of The Athletic takes an in-depth look at the first steps Langdon is taking toward that goal this year.
- We passed along a few more notes on the Pelicans on Tuesday, including a report on the team applying for a disabled player exception.
Ingram is interesting if you think about his situation. He’s got 1 year left on his deal and will likely want a good contract next year but what is his value? He’s a good scorer without having a good three ball, he can create for others and can rebound but he’s not amazing. He didn’t exactly play well with LeBron and he played better without Lonzo than with him. I think he would be absolutely perfect for GSW and I could see him being happy there. If the pelicans pay him let’s say 20mil, then do they pay lonzo too, and what about Favours? If your three highest earners are Lonzo Jrue and Ingram I don’t think you’ll be going far
The point is they can leverage the contracts IF they have value. If you’re overpaying any player than you’re not getting far. The knicks are showing that with every contract.
He will be a restricted FA, but someone out there might be willing to pay Ingram way more than he’s worth since it will be such a weak FA market in 2020.
Also agree, with such little talent some teams will be willing to pay that. Atalanta for example have Parsons, Turner and Crabbe all coming off contract this year, that’s huge. They don’t need another 3 with Reddish and Hunter tho.
But teams like Charlotte, Toronto, Washington, Memphis, OKC, maybe even Portland should have cap space and be willing to slightly over pay for production and potential.
Ingram is a walking 17, 5 and 4 who can play a few positions at both ends and still has lots of potential.
The only way Ingram ends up with the Warriors is if they do a sign-and-trade deal for D’Angelo Russell next summer. GS has zero cap space.
Yeah I can’t see him moving there anytime soon but I just think in terms of fit and his role he would play it would be great. Similar to that Harrison Barnes and KD role. Obviously Ingram isn’t KD but he gets buckets, does good work and can would suit GSW.