I've written quite a bit about how worrisome it was that there was practically no buzz surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans as we approached the 2024-25 NBA trade deadline. The Pelicans had openly made practically their entire roster available in deals earlier in the season after injuries derailed their campaign. Despite the desperation that's led them to be highly motivated sellers, it appeared that the market might not have the buyers needed to ensure that they could find trades for all their available parts.
That especially rang true for Brandon Ingram, who New Orleans has reportedly been trying to trade since last June's draft. He and the Pelicans were unable to agree on an extension, as BI's camp sought a four-year, $200 million deal that the team was unwilling to meet. For months, there was no buzz surrounding his availability. The radio silence suggested that the Pelicans might be best off retaining him through the trade deadline and re-signing him to a new short-term deal in the summer with the intention of finding a deal for him next season or beyond.
That changed recently when it was reported that the Toronto Raptors have shown interest in acquiring Brandon Ingram at the deadline. It's certainly not a guarantee that he'll be taking his talents to the Great White North this season, but even just the news that the Raptors have inquired about him is enough to instill hope that New Orleans could trade him this year. On cue, right after the Toronto rumors broke, it's been reported that another team has asked the Pelicans about possibly adding Brandon Ingram this season — this time, a Western Conference rival.
The San Antonio Spurs have shown interest in trading for Brandon Ingram
According to Michael Scotto and HoopsHype, league sources have stated that the San Antonio Spurs placed calls with the New Orleans Pelicans to ask about their price for trading Brandon Ingram.
Unfortunately, this probably won't lead to anything, as the Spurs are frontrunners in the De'Aaron Fox sweepstakes. It's difficult to envision the notoriously meticulous and calculated San Antonio administration making two blockbuster trades at the same deadline.
Per Scotto, the Spurs' discussions with the Pelicans regarding Ingram "were described as exploratory interest" by HoopsHype's sources. For what it's worth, Fox has several teams on his shortlist of preferred destinations outside of San Antonio, including the Miami Heat and the Houston Rockets.
During these negotiations, the Spurs' front office will be mentally preparing with the idea of parting with some of their best assets to acquire Fox. If the speedy point guard does end up landing somewhere else, perhaps San Antonio will just redirect its package to the Pelicans for Ingram instead.