5 questions that will be left unanswered for New Orleans Pelicans if season is canceled

Will Brandon Ingram win MIP? Will he make the All-NBA team?

If the NBA season has to be cancelled, then one of the most difficult decisions will be how to handle the awards.

The league could choose to not give them out at all, which might be the fairest decision, but in all likelihood we will still see some version of the MVP, MIP, ROY, All-Defense and All-NBA teams, even if the season has to be cut short.

We ranked the five most improved players in the NBA, and think New Orleans Pelicans’ All-Star Forward Brandon Ingram is a lock for the award.

The important question is whether Ingram would make an All-NBA team.

Ingram has had an amazing season, raising his scoring average to 24.3 and looking like a young Durant in the process.

While Pelicans’ fans might hope to see one of their guys make the team, the truth is that an All-NBA bid for Ingram will have big ramifications for the team moving forward.

Ingram is currently eligible for around $167 million for a five-year max contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. If he makes an All-NBA team, then Ingram would become the first restricted free agent to be eligible for the super-max, which is five years, $200 million.

Ingram has stiff competition for an All-NBA forward spot, but his 24.3 points per game will almost certainly get him some votes.

This wouldn’t stop the New Orleans Pelicans from signing Ingram, but it might give them pause.

Yes, he is only 22 years old.

Yes, he has gotten better every year and yes, he fits nicely with Zion and Lonzo.

But is he worth $40 million per year?

Signing Ingram to the super-max could hamper the New Orleans Pelicans’ chances of retaining Zion and Lonzo long-term, and might even necessitate a trade of a higher-salaried player like Jrue Holiday.

The New Orleans Pelicans have a lot of tough decisions to make in the offseason and it will be further complicated if Ingram makes the All-NBA team.