The New Orleans Pelicans ' lack of return for Brandon Ingram continues to haunt them. After trading away Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors at the 2025 trade deadline, the Pelicans received an unappealing return of Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, one first-round pick, and one second-round pick. Now, less than 6 months later, the Pelicans have nothing to show for this return.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Free agent Bruce Brown Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets.
After trading away Kelly Olynyk to help acquire Jordan Poole and trading away the first-round pick for the No. 23 pick, which was later flipped into Derick Queen, followed by the departure of Brown, all that remains from the deal is that lone second-round pick.
To kick off the NBA offseason, we saw the Memphis Grizzlies trade Desmond Bane for two veterans and one top-20 pick, three future first-round picks, and a pick swap. Mind you, Bane has never been an All-Star and is more of an elite connecting piece, yet he netted this return. Meanwhile, the Pelicans received nothing for Ingram. Who is a 6'8 lengthy 3-level scorer and has been an All-Star.
The thing that stings even more is that the Pelicans were unable even to get a sign-and-trade deal done with Brown. They let him walk for nothing. To be fair, though, the Ingram trade came under the leadership of David Griffin, who Joe Dumars replaced once the 2024-25 season ended. Therefore, the fact that the Pelicans didn't receive anything in return for Ingram can't be blamed on Dumars.
So with Dumars in charge, are the days of getting fleeced over?
It's easy to say things will be different with Dumars in charge, at least in theory. However, after his draft night blunder of trading pick No. 23, and an unprotected pick swap between the Pels and Bucks to move up for Derik Queen. Shows that the days of mismanaging assets may not be gone just yet.
That being said, I think if it came down to trading Zion Williamson, or Trey Murphy or Herb Jones, I have faith Dumars would be able to get a sizeable return for those players. But again, the only way to tell is with time.
As much of a nightmare as the Brandon Ingram trade was, at least it's finally over with Bruce Brown going back to Denver for a second stint. However, Brown could continue to haunt the Pelicans, as now he's back on one of their conference rivals.