EVP David Griffin declared the New Orleans Pelicans would operate with a sense of urgency in the league's talent-acquisition markets this summer. The Western Conference was only getting more difficult and the shortcomings of last year's roster were obvious during the NBA Playoffs. Some of the toughest decisions this summer are internal, however. The franchise faces a crucial decision regarding the future of All-Star forward Brandon Ingram. With rumors swirling about a potential trade, the Pelicans must carefully strategize to ensure they receive the best possible return.
As ClutchPoints first reported in mid-May, the Pelicans found Brandon Ingram's market to be mild at best. The market has shifted a bit since now that the first moves in the free agent, trade, and head coaching hiring transaction charts have been filed with NBA headquarters. Things will get more intense in the days leading up to the June 26-27 NBA Draft. Then the frenzy will ramp up considerably.
Surveying the battlefield is the first step to winning a war. What follows is a broad rundown of what we know, can assume, or can report going into the NBA Draft as it relates to the New Orleans. The Pelicans will need to work the margins to outflank the market and win any Brandon Ingram negotiations.
Pelicans and Brandon Ingram at an impasse
The Pelicans must consider more than a handful of moving parts when stitching together any blockbuster Ingram deal. First, there seems to be a considerable gap in what the team will offer and what Ingram will accept. Ingram was always going to get 80-85% of the eligible max-level money. The extra 10-20% was dependent on leading New Orleans to at least a win or two in the NBA Playoffs. Lu Dort practically killed any chance of Ingram getting 100% of the possible $208 million.
More than one source has suggested Ingram is willing to ride this out until next summer and test unrestricted free agency. Scottie Barnes just got $270 million. Ingram could qualify for more money next summer with another All-Star appearance and factoring in the 10% cap increase. The 26-year-old is young enough that someone will take a chance though the Pelicans will never let the All-Star walk for nothing in return. The problem is getting equal value in a trade, especially after reports of the Houston Rockets not being interested surfaced.
Why the snub? Well, unfortunately, Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 64 games last season, shooting 49.2% overall from the field. It was a down year following a disappointing showing with Team USA, which had several NBA coaches on staff. They all talk and a reluctance to shoot three-pointers being the major takeaway from Ingram's NBA season put a bigger spotlight on the other issues causing friction. Going against the team's directives also made it more difficult to find a contract compromise.
Trading Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday were relatively simple. Getting CJ McCollum was a class in maximizing leverage, both with the Portland Trail Blazers and in getting the Josh Hart deal that made it all work done the previous summer. Drumming up multiple bidders for Ingram might be Griffin's toughest task since taking the New Orleans job.
Working phones to find partners
The Pelicans are looking for a third team to include in most deals, either because they'll want to restock seconds or will need them to facilitate an Ingram deal. Teams that have extra assets or cap space include the Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons. The New York Knicks also have too many picks (3) in this draft to use on the roster next season.
ClutchPoints has looked at trade-back options with sources sharing that the team is looking to move back in the draft. The Pelicans spent four second-round picks to duck under the luxury tax by shedding Devonte' Graham's salary. Trading their only selection (21st) and leaving Chicago without a new rookie is a possibility. New Orleans needs contributors, not another player who cannot legally buy a drink. NOLA.com's Christian Clark has also reported that restocking the second-round coffers is the plan.
New Orleans lacks many mid-level contracts to match salaries beyond Larry Nance Jr's $11.2 million expiring deal. All indications are that Dyson Daniels ($6.09MM) has been mentioned in trade talks more than Jordan Hawkins ($4.5MM), though both are available for the right price. So how can the Pelicans bridge the gap if other teams are playing hardball? It'll be tough with a handful of playoff-level teams attempting to duck the luxury tax while lottery-bound organizations figure out how to best rebuild under the new CBA.
Well, after months of glowing reports, it now seems apparent Karlo Matkovic will not be with New Orleans to start the regular season. One European-based report has Matkovic going to a team in Spain and not returning to the Birmingham Squadron. The Pelicans lack second-rounders to trade but could include the rights to the near-seven-footer to sweeten a deal.
Making money work and where to go shopping
Finding rotational help to come off the bench is also proving difficult. The financial strains on the roster now that Zion Williamson is making over $36 million are getting more pronounced. Even keeping in-house options will be tough. For instance, Naji Marshall will demand close to $10 million a year in this market. A four-year, $50 million deal would not be surprising.
Jonas Valanciunas has already signaled an exit by listing his New Orleans home for sale. So how can the Pelicans make the money work in a blockbuster deal and where would Griffin go shopping? Some of the early action in the market has already limited options. There was a ‘5-10% chance' the Sacramento Kings would be forced into a reset this summer. De'Aaron Fox and Domantis Sabonis are completely off the table now that Malik Monk has agreed to a four-year, $78 million extension.
The Pelicans ‘kept the powder dry' as one league source put it when considering an Alex Caruso deal. Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III ‘were never going to Chicago' according to one league source. Nance Jr., Daniels, and Hawkins would be better used as aggregated salaries. New Orleans needs a point guard but did not have much of an enticing offer to put up against Josh Giddey. Not if they want a chance at Jimmy Butler, Lauri Markkanen, or Mikal Bridges.
The hiring of Kenny Atkinson by the Cleveland Cavaliers seemingly eliminates Jarrett Allen as a starting big-man option. Evan Mobley and Darius Garland are less likely now considering the new coaching direction and the increase in Garland interest from other contenders. There are some blockbuster deals still on the table.
New Orleans can still swing big if Cleveland cannot convince Donovan Mitchell to stick around. Acquiring Deandre Ayton, Brook Lopez, Jimmy Butler, or Marcus Smart would not be surprising as all four seem out of favor with their current teams for varying reasons. The Atlanta Hawks are being very active in shopping Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and the first overall pick. However, trying to figure out what they'll end up doing under new leadership is ‘like playing darts in the dark' per one former executive.
New Orleans buying low on Zach LaVine is an option still being considered if only because of the multi-year contract certainty going forward. The hangups there are a 15% trade kicker and the $43 million cap hit. The Washington Wizards (Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma) have several less-expensive assets to move along in their rebuild. The Utah Jazz are shopping Walker Kessler, who might come with some baggage because, as one source asked, “Why else would Danny Ainge be dealing” the young, talented big man so soon?
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