Brandon Ingram’s long-term future with the New Orleans Pelicans remains uncertain this summer, as the 27-year-old forward hasn’t reportedly attended the team’s training camp in California this week.
Co-star Zion Williamson once didn’t attend the New Orleans Pelicans’ voluntary workouts because he was dealing with an injury. However, in Ingram’s case, there has been no report of him being injured, so it’s possible that he is not showing up due to his stalled negotiations with the front office.
Brandon Ingram is entering the final year of his five-year, $158 million contract next season, where he’ll earn roughly $36 million. He reportedly wants a four-year extension worth around $208 million, but the New Orleans Pelicans seem unwilling to grant his wish.
The 2020 NBA All-Star and Most Improved Player of the Year averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists on 49.2 percent shooting from the floor in 64 regular season games last year. However, he struggled mightily against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs, as his numbers dipped to 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on a woeful 34.5 percent shooting from the floor.
Brandon Ingram posts cryptic message to the New Orleans Pelicans on social media
Brandon Ingram recently posted an Instagram story featuring a speech talking about valuing yourself, which looks like a veiled shot to the New Orleans Pelicans front office.
“You cannot stay in environments where people don’t know the true value of you,” the video says. “If you stay in environments where people don’t recognize the value of you, you will shrink your gift to the size of what they can stand.”
Earlier this summer, Brandon Ingram was linked in various trade rumors, but nothing came to fruition, so it seems he’ll be playing out the final year of his contract this upcoming season.
