The Hawks are among the teams who’ve called the Pelicans to gauge the price tag on forward Brandon Ingram, league sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Atlanta’s interest in Ingram was previously reported by The Stein Line.
Ingram, who has a 15 percent trade kicker unless he chooses to waive it, will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Ingram has been out since Dec. 7 due to a left ankle sprain and there’s still no timetable for his return.
In talks between the Hawks and Pelicans, Scotto hears New Orleans would be reluctant to take back future salary, including the contract of Bogdan Bogdanovic, who’s owed $16MM for the 2025/26 season and has a team option worth $16MM for the 2026/27 season.
It still could be a hard sell for New Orleans to complete an Ingram deal. The Pelicans have been fielding offers for Ingram since last summer, but there hasn’t been much traction on a potential trade, The Athletic’s William Guillory reports.
Here’s more on the Pelicans:
- Along with gauging interest in Ingram and his $36MM expiring contract, another item on the agenda for the Pelicans is ducking the luxury tax, Scotto adds. League executives anticipate that Daniel Theis ($2.8MM salary this season), Javonte Green ($2.425MM) and/or Jeremiah Robinson-Earl ($2.2MM) could be on the move.
- Guillory said the franchise also must decide if it is committed to retaining Zion Williamson long-term and whether to obtain assets by trading CJ McCollum to a contender.
- Once the trade deadline passes, there’s a strong belief the Pelicans will convert two-way guard Brandon Boston Jr. to a standard contract, according to Scotto. Boston has already appeared in 41 games, including 10 starts, averaging 10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 23.9 minutes. Two-way players have a 50-game limit before a team must decide whether to offer a standard deal, waive them, or leave them in the G League the rest of the season.
Daniel Theis feels like a possible Lakers acquistion
Hawks who didn’t even trade Dejointe for Ingram???? They should stop blowing smoke.
If Hawks want Ingram, Pels will accept any salary in return as long there is at least one of Pels picks attached to it. It’s that simple.
Bogdanovic, Nance, Zeller fit salary wise, but Nance must be taken by third team, since he was traded by Pels to Hawks, he can’t be traded back directly to Pels this year
When many decisions must be made, the most important must be made first.
Pels must first decide what to do with Zion.
If not trading Zion, they should flip Ingram now. If they’re trading Zion, they may be able to afford Ingram.
Pelicans missed the opportunity to trade Ingram and Dyson for Trae, now they are stuck with Dejounte Murray…
The Pelicans HAVE to trade CJ regardless if they are committed to Zion or not. CJ’s value will never be this high again, make the most out of it. He is not leading them to a championship regardless.
Clint Capela, Kobe Bufkin, David Roddy & Mil’s 2027 1st to NOP for Brandon Ingram
We get an elite wing that can help run the offense along with Trae. Obv he’s a UFA after the season but cap room is extremely limited around the league so we’ll be heavy favorites to retain him.
Pels upgrade in a big way at the 5 & give Missi a perfect vet to learn from. They also get (back) a 1st & a young pg prospect in exchange for moving on from BI, who they clearly didn’t have in their future plans anyway