Pelicans Notes: Williamson, Ingram, Agency Changes

Head coach Willie Green referred to them as “the best duo in the NBA” 13 months ago, but it’s time for the Pelicans to admit that the pairing of forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram hasn’t panned out, contends Christian Clark of NOLA.com (subscription required).

As Clark details, injuries have consistently derailed any hope the Pelicans have had of building momentum behind Williamson and Ingram, who have played just 73 games together since Green was hired in July 2021.

Differences between the ways the two stars need to be motivated have also created a disconnect, according to Clark, who says that Williamson “requires regimen and structure,” whereas Ingram has been at his best under player-friendly coaches like Alvin Gentry and Green.

When David Griffin was hired as the Pelicans’ head of basketball operations in 2019, he had two opportunities that offseason to add a player who could be New Orleans’ “tentpole” star to build around, Clark writes. The front office acquired Ingram in the Anthony Davis trade and drafted Williamson with the No. 1 overall pick. However, Clark argues that there’s now enough evidence to show that neither one is the face of the franchise the team had hoped they could become.

Here’s more on the Pelicans:

• Communication has been an issue throughout Williamson’s tenure in New Orleans, according to Clark, who points to an example from this season’s opener – which the 24-year-old missed due to an illness – to illustrate that point. Williamson missed that morning’s shootaround, then showed up to the arena and was said to be a game-time decision before being ruled out. His lack of communication about his status left multiple team staffers “confused,” Clark says, setting the tone for the Pelicans’ disappointing fall.
• While there were rumors that Williamson’s camp was dissatisfied with CAA for years before he parted ways with the agency in November, Ingram’s decision to leave Excel Sports Management came as more of a surprise, according to Clark.
• Both Clark and Shamit Dua of In The N.O. reported that Ingram was expected to sign with Klutch Sports before Shams Charania of ESPN confirmed as much on Sunday. Dua speculates that Ingram made his agency change because Excel wasn’t able to secure him the type of extension he sought or a trade to a desired landing spot, whereas Klutch is known for “pulling out all the stops” for its clients. Williamson isn’t expected to follow Ingram to Klutch, Dua adds.
• Multiple league sources tell Dua that the Pelicans and Jazz had discussions about a possible Ingram trade earlier this year, but that they hit a standstill due to the forward’s disinterest in signing in Utah long-term. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported this week that finding a team with whom Ingram would be willing to extend has been one of several factors complicating the Pelicans’ trade efforts.
• In case you missed it, we also passed along a few Pelicans notes on Saturday evening.