New Orleans Pelicans: Evaluating Brandon Ingram’s Future

Evaluating Brandon Ingram’s Long-Term Future with the New Orleans Pelicans

The  New Orleans Pelicans 2019-2020 season provided fans plenty of ups and downs, but the biggest positive from this season has been Brandon Ingram.

The 22-year old wing broke out in his first year with the Pelicans upping his offensive production with 23.8ppg, and 39.1% shooting from deep. With his accolades for this season including representing the New Orleans Pelicans in the All-Star Game and being named a finalist for Most-Improved Player, Brandon Ingram is officially a premier offensive threat in the NBA.

Brandon Ingram had a great season, helping fans ease the loss of Anthony Davis and the stretches without number one pick Zion Willamson, but what does his future hold in New Orleans?

Ingram is a Restricted Free Agent this offseason, which means that other teams will be attempting to snag the emerging star, but New Orleans will be able to match any deal he receives. Speaking on his upcoming free-agency, Ingram has gone on record saying New Orleans is “a top choice for me” in free agency.

In that same interview, Ingram found himself spending most of his time praising the Pelicans organization saying:

"“This is definitely a special place with a lot of really, really good people and a lot of genuine people”. – (Brandon Ingram via Christian Clark of NOLA.com)"

As a Restricted Free Agent, Brandon Ingram has little choice in the matter if the Pelicans decide to match anything up to a max offer. And that’s exactly what they will end up doing.

Brandon Ingram will get a 5-year max deal in New Orleans and it will be well deserved. It will also be the first max-contract for the New Orleans Pelicans organization since re-signing Jrue Holiday in 2017. So what do the next five years have in store for Brandon Ingram?

With the roster in a state of pre-draft flux the only players we know for sure Ingram will be paired with are his co-stars of Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson. Add in big man Jaxson Hayes, and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker as long-term Pelicans, and we get a better idea of the roster that will surround Brandon Ingram. Assuming the Pelicans bring back the majority of their 2019-2020 roster. What does this mean for the lanky Brandon Ingram?

Well offensively, more of 2019-2020 Brandon Ingram would be much appreciated, but there are still improvements he needs to make. Ingram made a habit of knocking down difficult mid-range jumpers night in and night out, but was it for the greater good of the team?

Brandon Ingram is by far the most reliable bucket-getter on the Pelicans roster, no question about it. He possesses a killer, mamba-like attitude with his fearless shooting and ability to put the ball in the basket from anywhere. But there are certainly times where he’s not the most unstoppable player on the floor. That would be Zion Williamson.

The failure to recognize Williamson’s presence on the court is leading to my criticism that although Brandon Ingram can make tough shots at an abnormal rate (42.7% from the mid-range), he’s passing up on better shots for the team.

Then Ingram’s defensive issues are, at times, self-evident. At times, Brandon Ingram goes through mental lapses on that end of the ball and I don’t see him ever becoming a Jrue Holiday-level defender. If Ingrams focuses on adding some extra weight and making an effort he still can become a serviceable defender.

So what are the results of Ingram’s next five years in New Orleans? A lot of scoring. Every contending team needs at least one player that can create his own shot consistently, and the Pelicans are checking that box for years to come. It’s something to be excited about as these guys aren’t easy to come by.

I’m predicting at least one more all-star over the life of his upcoming deal, and add a few playoff appearances to that too. With the hopeful health and emergence of Zion, there’s a chance Ingram’s counting numbers stagnate, but I’d be willing to bet it will make Ingram a more efficient scorer.

With Zion Williamson’s health providing serious questions early on, Brandon Ingram is arguably the Pelicans’ best-long term piece. Now the Pelicans have to find the right supporting pieces for Ingram’s electric scoring.