Brandon Ingram Rumors: Pelicans 'Gaining Traction' on Trade; Hawks, Raptors Linked
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacek
Featured Columnist IVFebruary 5, 2025
Brandon Ingram could be on the move.
The Toronto Raptors are reportedly in "advanced discussions" on a trade for Ingram, according to NBA Insider Chris Haynes.
NBA insider Jake Fischer initially reported Wednesday that the New Orleans Pelicans are "gaining traction on deal structures" involving Ingram. Fischer noted the Raptors and Atlanta Hawks have been "engaged" with the Pelicans in such discussions.
Sam Amick of The Athletic later reported the two teams were "neck-and-neck" on a potential trade:
The Athletic @TheAthleticSOURCES: The Raptors and Hawks are neck-and-neck in their pursuit of Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, per <a href="https://twitter.com/sam_amick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sam_amick</a>.<br><br>More:<a href="https://t.co/iqn9hL2spg">https://t.co/iqn9hL2spg</a> <a href="https://t.co/gUxFRfj4RM">pic.twitter.com/gUxFRfj4RM</a>
This is not the first time Ingram has been linked to the Hawks.
"Specifically, keep an eye on the Atlanta Hawks," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said Friday (1:20 mark). "They just lost their star wing Jalen Johnson for the season, they may start to get interested in making a move especially for Brandon Ingram. Keep an eye on that."
As Windhorst noted, Ingram could help the Hawks make up for the loss of Johnson, who is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
Atlanta is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference and two games back of the Detroit Pistons for the No. 6 seed. Getting a top-six seed would allow it to avoid the play-in tournament, although it might need some more firepower alongside Trae Young to make that happen now that Johnson is out.
At his best, Ingram could provide that firepower.
He is averaging 22.2 points per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from deep this season. However, durability has been the issue, as he's appeared in just 18 contests and hasn't played since Dec. 7 because of an ankle injury.
It is one of many injury concerns that have held the Pelicans back during their 12-38 start to the campaign. Given their position in the standings, it makes sense to trade Ingram seeing how this is the final season of his contract and they could get something back in return before he potentially leaves anyway.
Toronto isn't much better than New Orleans at 16-34, so it may seem somewhat strange for it to add at the deadline. Yet Ingram is an expiring contract and wouldn't stand in the way of a long-term rebuild.
