Brandon Ingram. Image via: Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images The New Orleans Pelicans have traded Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors in a significant move before the trade deadline. In exchange, the Raptors will send Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, and a pair of draft picks, including a 2026 first-round pick, to New Orleans. This trade ends Ingram’s five-year tenure with the Pelicans as he begins a new chapter to his basketball career with the Raptors.
New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram moves to Toronto Raptors ahead of trade deadline
Brandon Ingram. Image via: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
As the NBA trade deadline is closing in, several superstars are making headlines with their team shifts. Following the Miami Heat’s highly anticipated Jimmy Butler’s trade with the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram has sparked the buzz among fans in the latest trade news as he is set to move to the Raptors following a major deal.NBA insider Chris Haynes first reported that the New Orleans Pelicans and Toronto Raptors were in advanced talks to trade Brandon Ingram. Shortly after the news, ESPN’s Shams Charania confirmed that the deal was finalized. The trade sends Ingram to Toronto, while the Pelicans receive Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, and a first-round pick along with a second-round pick.Taking to X, Charania reported, “Breaking: The New Orleans Pelicans have traded Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors for Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, one first-round pick and one second-rounder, sources tell ESPN.”The former NBA All-Star is in the final year of a five-year, $158 million deal. The Pelicans struggled to find a trade partner due to Ingram’s upcoming free agency. Despite shopping him since last summer, his expiring contract made it difficult for the team to land a deal. Ultimately, Ingram was traded to the Toronto Raptors, marking a new chapter for both teams.Ingram has been dealing with his injuries and it was a huge concern for the Pelicans. With the trade, the Raptors hope that the 27-year-old star would bounce back and make his return to his A-games. Certainly, he has all the potential but Ingram was not the player his former team wanted to keep in the roster. The Pelicans have been attempting to move Ingram for quite some time. They tried negotiating a new deal with him as early as the 2023 season, however, they have not reached any agreement. Reports revealed that Ingram turned down significant offers from New Orleans, including a $50 million per season deal in 2023 and $40 million per year in 2024.Also Read: Jimmy Butler shared his first reaction after the Miami Heat-Golden State Warriors trade: “Welcome to the Wild Wild West” The North Carolina native is currently averaging 22.2 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 46.5 field goal percentage. He joined the Pelicans in 2019 after being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers.