For a minute there, it appeared as though we were going into the 2024-25 NBA trade deadline with almost no news surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans. This team is expected to be highly active on the market, as they have plenty of pieces that they'd ideally like to move this season. And yet, despite all of their available pieces and their work shopping some of their players to other teams, the lack of buzz in the Big Easy leading up to the deadline caused some concern.
The league landscape has suggested that there won't be many buyers this trade season and a few unexpected sellers have arisen out of the bottom of the barrel that will only be more competition for the Pelicans who are trying to essentially reset their roster. No matter how desperate they are to shed their veterans, they won't be able to do much if there aren't any teams willing to pick up what they're putting down.
Not only have they been shopping Brandon Ingram all season, but he's reportedly been openly available since at least before last summer's draft. Unfortunately, his trade stock has taken quite a hit recently due to his rigid game, expiring contract, and demands for a massive extension. For a while there, it felt like BI might not have any suitors heading into the deadline. Thankfully for the Pelicans, it seems that an unexpected team out of the East has shown some interest in trading for Brandon Ingram.
Toronto Raptors reportedly interested in trading for Brandon Ingram
It's not as if there's been absolutely no rumors or buzz surrounding Brandon Ingram. We've had reports that many of the teams that are interested in trading for the Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler view BI as a possible consolation prize if they're unable to land the disgruntled superstar out of South Beach. We've also heard some whispers about the Denver Nuggets.
But, the Butler situation has been incredibly volatile, so it's been difficult to follow that path and there hasn't been any follow-up regarding Ingram with those teams. The Nuggets have been on a tear since it was first reported that they had shown some preliminary interest in dealing for BI, having climbed to the fourth seed in the West. With Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Russell Westbrook all playing well, it's unlikely that Denver will still want to risk blowing up a core that's already won one championship together.
With those things in mind along with the lack of additional news surrounding Ingram's availability, it really began to feel like the Pelicans' best recourse would be to re-sign him to a short-term deal and find a new home for him in a later season. That is until The Stein Line broke word that the Toronto Raptors are considering trading for BI.
Marc Stein stated that Raptors President Masai Ujiri is highly motivated to lead Toronto back to the playoffs sooner rather than later and that he's seeking a viable co-star for rising point forward Scottie Barnes. The Raptors have a good mix of contracts, young prospects, and veterans, and retain ownership of all their future first-round picks. They should easily be able to cobble together an acceptable package for Brandon Ingram.