The New Orleans Pelicans have undergone a lot of change in this 2024-25 NBA season. They began the year as dark-horse title contenders after trading for All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray over the summer. The hope was that his presence as a true floor general coupled with good health from Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram could drag the team over the hump and into a deep playoff run for the first time in a long time.
Unfortunately, injuries absolutely derailed their season and ended their playoff hopes just a quarter of the way into the campaign. From there, the Pelicans had to shift their organizational focus and figure out how they wanted to proceed because it was clear they wouldn't be able to compete for a title this season anymore.
New Orleans took its time mulling its options, but, ultimately, Vice President David Griffin and the rest of the team's brass decided to reset the roster amid this unfortunate turn of events. The Pelicans reportedly made nearly the entire roster available for trade ahead of February's deadline, outside of a few young players they've deemed part of the future of the franchise. Still, just because they'd listen to offers for almost all of their players didn't mean that they'd all be moved. The Pelicans have apparently made their top priority clear for this season's trade deadline to wash away some of the uncertainty.
Trading Brandon Ingram will be the Pelicans top priority this trade deadline
The Pelicans have seemingly been trying to trade Brandon Ingram for several years, but it really became a focus this season. He and the team failed to agree on a contract extension before season tip-off, which only made it more likely that he'd be moved ahead of the trade deadline, lest the Pelicans risk losing him for nothing in the offseason when he could become an unrestricted free agent. New Orleans could technically still extend him up until June 30, the end of the league year, but the two sides are reportedly eight figures apart on a new deal.
While it was clear why it'd be in the team's best interest to trade him this season, doubt started to creep in that they'd be able to find a deal for him this year. The league's buyers market is expected to be especially cool due to the parity in the NBA and the new daunted second apron. Ingram's ball-dominant playstyle, lack of recent growth, and lofty financial demands make him a difficult sell. If New Orleans doesn't receive any good offers, they might have to end up re-signing him to a short-term deal to give themselves more time to command an acceptable package in return.
Their may not be a lot of suitors lining up for Ingram currently, but that hasn't dissuaded the team from trying to move him. According to ESPN's Tim McMahon and Bobby Marks, dealing Ingram remains at the top of the Pelicans to-do list for this season:
"Finding a trade for injured forward Brandon Ingram, a one-time All-Star in a contract year whose extension talks have repeatedly fizzled, is the priority for the Pelicans' front office, sources told ESPN."
The Jimmy Butler situation with the Miami Heat has escalated quickly, but only one team can land the All-NBA wing out of South Beach. The other squads that strike out may come calling for Ingram's services after the fallout and reward the Pelicans for their diligence.