Pelicans Want Brandon Ingram To Take Pay Cut On Extension, Trade Considered More Likely

Brandon Ingram’s previous agents were seeking a contract worth $50 million per season with the New Orleans Pelicans as part of his extension. The annual average is near his maximum and the two sides were unable to get a deal done.

Ingram recently left Jeff Schwartz and signed with Shy Saee, Mike George and CEO Rich Paul of Klutch Sports as his representation.

The Pelicans have luxury tax concerns and are already at $157 million without accounting for Ingram’s contract next season.

While the Pelicans highly value Ingram and would like to keep him, they are unlikely to reach Ingram’s current salary annually on an extension, making the trade route much more likely than a long-term deal, sources tell ESPN.