Brandon Ingram Talks Team USA, Trade Rumors, Future

Although he’ll only turn 26 next month, Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, who has seven years of NBA experience, is one of the elder statesmen on a relatively young Team USA squad this summer.

Asked by William Guillory of The Athletic why he felt compelled to accept an invitation to this year’s World Cup roster, Ingram explained that he believes it will benefit him to get a head-start on the 2023/24 season — and to play a different role than the one he has in New Orleans.

“I heard a lot of voices. People said it would be good for me,” Ingram said. “I think it’s a great challenge for me, being able to play with so many talented players. You don’t do what you usually do on the basketball floor. You’ve got to adjust. That’s what life is about. That’s going to make me better for the Pelicans: making adjustments on the fly and trying to be the best I can be. Adapting in different moments.”

While Steve Kerr‘s lineups are subject to change, Ingram was part of Team USA’s starting five in training camp scrimmages and in the club’s first exhibition game on Monday vs. Puerto Rico. He tells Guillory that he’s looking forward to proving he’s one of the best players in the upcoming tournament.

“That’s the mentality that follows me everywhere I go. I’m always trying to prove that,” Ingram said. “We’ve got a lot of great players on this team. I think a lot of us are coming in trying to prove something.”

Here are a few more of the most notable quotes from Guillory’s interview of Ingram, which is worth checking out in full if you’re a Pelicans fan and an Athletic subscriber:

On how he reacted to his name coming up in trade speculation when the Pelicans were rumored to be considering a move into the top three of the draft:

“With me, I’m not on social media that much. So people will make a joke about it sometimes, or hit me up and ask me what’s going on with this thing they saw on TV. Most of the time, I’ll hear from the front office when that stuff pops up and they’ll tell me exactly what’s going on and how to feel about it. Any information that’s out there, they’ll clarify it and tell me if it was true or false.

“I’ve got a good relationship with (Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin). He’ll come straight to me and tell me anything. I’m not too into what everybody was putting out there, but none of it bothered me. I also know this is a business, though, and I’ve got to be prepared for anything.”

On his response to fan frustration to his missed time due to injuries:

“At the end of the day, nobody wants to be out there more than me. No matter what fans say, or what anybody else says, nobody wants to be out there more than me. I put in the work. I’m preparing and I’m always ready.

But I also know when my body feels good, how I can push it and when I can push it. Every year, I go into the season preparing like I can play 100 games in the season. I’ve just had some injuries where I couldn’t. But I want to push through. I want to play basketball. … I know their frustration. But I want to play as much as they want me to play.”

On whether he envisions a long-term future with the Pelicans beyond the two years left on his contract:

“For me, I love New Orleans. It’s perfect for me and the way I want to operate. Less distractions. I can go play basketball whenever I want to. I’ve got direct access to the facility. I’ve got people close to me who can come to the gym and help me at any time. I feel connected with New Orleans and the people around me.

“I know my payday is coming around, so I don’t think too much of it. I’m just making sure I carry myself the right way. I’m sticking with what I know: If I stay in the gym, good things will come. I see the big money everybody else is getting, which is exciting. (But) I just want to keep my focus on my team. The most important thing for me is just winning. I know when you win, that takes care of everything else. I get more excited seeing stuff like my guy Herb (Jones) get his contract.”

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