New Orleans Pelicans Forward Brandon Ingram is eligible to sign an extension right now, if he wanted. However, Christian Clark of NOLA.com reported that Ingram will wait to discuss a new deal with the Pelicans.
Clark reports there’s no “anxiety” about wanting to get Ingram signed immediately. It all comes down to the dollar amount between the two sides. That amount could see a considerable increase if Ingram waits.
Ingram signed a four-year, $158.3 max extension with the Pelicans ahead of the 2020-21 season. One year after the Pelicans received the now 26-year-old in return for Anthony Davis. The 6-foot-8 forward is due to make $33.8 million this season and $36.0 million in 2024-25 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
With an extension, Brandon Ingram could receive that same amount if not more. He is currently eligible for is a three-year deal worth $163 million with the team right now, starting at ~$50.4 million (140 percent of his 36.0M salary). But, if he waits until next season those numbers jump up to four years and $226 million. If Ingram makes an All-NBA team next season, he would be eligible for the $334 million supermax extension (assuming 10 percent cap increases each year).
In order to be eligible for that lucrative and rewarding All-NBA selection, Ingram will have to play 65 or more games during the 2023-2024 season. He’s only done that once, which was his rookie year. Though he has played at least 80 percent of his team’s games (a 65-game pace over 82) three times over his seven-year career.
Even if in the chance that Ingram does make an All-NBA team, there’s no guarantee that the Pelicans would offer him the supermax extension. In the first year of said extension, the Pelicans will still have CJ McCollum (30.7M) and Zion Williamson (42.16/a season) on the books.
That doesn’t include all the others that the Pelicans would have to sign. With both Herbert Jones (2025-26) and Dyson Daniels (2024-25) up for extensions soon signing Ingram to that amount isn’t plausible. An extension at or around the $220 million would seem much more feasible for the Pelicans long-term.
Brandon Ingram is coming off a disappointing Team USA stint in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but has proved to be a reliant wing. He averaged 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists last season, shooting 48.4 percent from the floor, 39.0 percent from distance and 88.2 percent from the free-throw line (58.2 TS%).
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