As expected, it didn’t take long for the New Orleans Pelicans and Brandon Ingram to agree to a deal as free agent negotiations opened. The two sides avoided a potentially messy restricted free agency period by quickly coming to an agreement on a 5-year, $158.2 million deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
After three inconsistent seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Brandon Ingram looked like the No. 2 pick he once was this season in New Orleans. The forward averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 46.3% field goal shooting and 39.1% three-point shooting.
Ingram received appropriate accolades for his performance this season, highlighted by his first All-Star game nod. At season’s end, Ingram also was named the league’s Most Improved Player award after his breakout season.
With Jrue Holiday traded this off-season, Ingram and Zion Williamson will now be the sole focal points of the franchise moving forward as the team embraces their young core. As the Pelicans look to make more moves in the off-season, Ingram’s deal may not become official until later in the off-season.