Brandon Ingram Traded to Raptors in Significant Deal with Pelicans

In a significant move marking the NBA trade deadline, the New Orleans Pelicans have traded forward Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors. This trade comes as the Pelicans sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 12-39 record, indicating a shift towards rebuilding. Ingram, a former All-Star and one of the key players acquired in the 2019 Anthony Davis trade, has experienced injuries that limited his impact this season, where he averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists before being sidelined.

In exchange for Ingram, the Pelicans will receive:

• Bruce Brown Jr.
• Kelly Olynyk
• One first-round draft pick
• One second-round draft pick

This deal signifies the end of Ingram's six-year stint with the Pelicans, during which he was seen as a central figure in the team's long-term plans alongside Zion Williamson. Despite being a former number two overall pick in the NBA Draft and an All-Star in 2020, Ingram's tenure was marred by injuries, playing no more than 64 games in any of the last few seasons.

For the Raptors, acquiring Ingram provides a scoring boost as they attempt to improve their 16-35 record and compete for a spot in the Eastern Conference. The trade could also set the stage for Ingram to negotiate a long-term contract as he heads into free agency this offseason.