The New Orleans Pelicans might not be having a very engaging season on the court, but there's been plenty of drama to keep fans locked in this year. At 4-17 and deeply entrenched at the very bottom of an extremely stacked Western Conference, the Pels may not have been mathematically eliminated from title contention just yet. Still, any sensible follower has already kissed their playoff dreams goodbye for this season.
Even though their title chase is over before it even really began, there's still been plenty of intrigue behind the scenes for New Orleans. In November, two of their star players, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, cut ties with their representation. Ingram is on the final year of his contract and will need either an extension before the end of the league year or a new deal this summer. Many have surmised that Ingram wants a new agent to help him find a trade for the Pelicans to send him to a new home, one where he'll be happy to renew his agreement.
Brandon Ingram was surprisingly the most reliable player for New Orleans this season before he went out with calf tendonitis, an injury that's kept him sidelined for four straight games. However, it's also been theorized that Ingram could play but is being kept under wraps due to the Pelicans' abysmal place in the standings as well as his tentative future with the team. Some recent reports have come out that give us insight into Brandon Ingram's psyche regarding his status with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Brandon Ingram's new agent and his camp's intriguing decision from last season
Shamit Dua reported on his In the N.O. substack that Brandon Ingram will sign with Klutch Sports after parting ways with Excel Sports. Normally, a player's representation isn't exactly meaningful news for fans, but the timing of this move as well as Ingram's choice makes this an intriguing storyline.
For those that don't know, Klutch Sports was founded and is currently run by Rich Paul, LeBron James's childhood friend. Not only is Klutch's backstory noteworthy, but the agency has made waves in recent years for how it's represented its players, in both good and bad ways. For example, Anthony Davis was under Klutch's guidance when he forced his way out of New Orleans to the Los Angeles Lakers to join forces with LeBron. Klutch also oversaw the Ben Simmons saga with the Philadelphia 76ers, in which he sat out an entire season while allegedly healthy to strongarm the Sixers into trading him.
While Klutch's reputation as a league cancer is quite overstated, it's undeniable that the agency has maneuvered in unique and, sometimes, questionable ways.
Dua also reported that Ingram's previous camp tanked a potential trade between the Pelicans and the Utah Jazz this past summer:
"Multiple league sources have relayed to me that the Pelicans and Jazz were deep in talks which were shut down by Ingram's lack of desire to re-sign in Salt Lake City."
It's possible that Ingram has regretted that decision, probably in part due to New Orleans's miserable season so far, and it ultimately led to him firing Excel Sports. If there's one thing that Klutch Sports is known for, it's getting things done. It's been reported that Ingram is seeking a $200 million extension, but the Pelicans are unwilling to meet that number. There's not a single team that's expected to have that much cap space this summer, which only leaves one option: Klutch will have to work out a trade that:
a) sends Brandon Ingram to a new team that's willing to give him the four-year, $200 million deal he wants
b) returns an acceptable package for the New Orleans Pelicans