The 2024 NBA Draft is officially over. Now, the league's management can focus on the free agent program, while the rookies can plan their summer league vacations. The New Orleans Pelicans largely avoided making a splash in the free agent market, instead focusing on the trade market to upgrade or make money with disgruntled All-Stars. How well the organization bridges the valuation gap in the market for Brandon Ingram will determine how further roster building takes shape.
In addition to the $36 million locked in for next season, Ingram is eligible for a four-year, $208 million contract extension. The Pelicans can get creative, but a trade at the highest level won't be in the plans.
In order for Ingram to stay in Crescent City, some compromises had to be made. The list of players with five-year, $242 million job security is short. Only 17 people exceeded the average annual salary of $48.4 million for a full deal; The 10 earn more per season than the average $52 million contract extension.
It's hard to argue that Ingram will be a top-10, top-20, or even top-25 player at any point in the next five seasons. The 27-year-old finished 12th in the 2023 Western Conference frontcourt vote but disappointed in 2024. Sportskeeda's Mark Medina said it didn't help with Team USA in the summer and expanding scouting reports into other locker rooms.
"The coaches' reports, they all sent me double packs," Ingram complained, "but they didn't vote for me." ”
How the All-Stars respond to these two-man defenses is the difference between a contract extension at the highest level at the All-Star level and a small salary in exchange for long-term security.
Contract renewal comparisons determine the market
Lu Dort doesn't need a double bag to stop Ingram in the NBA playoffs. Ingram has just recovered from injury and has been in terrible form last month, but the Pelicans need their only All-Star to play at a higher level. Even with injuries or stomach problems, New Orleans would need a better performance than averaging 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game and shooting 34.5 percent in the playoffs for Ingram to ask for a max contract.
Joel Embiid is playing with illness to lead the Philadelphia 76ers. Last summer, the 27-year-old approached an unattainable salary cap on a four-year, $213 million contract extension. Jordan Poole's 4-year, $128 million contract is the bottom line. Bam Adebayo's $55 million AAV starting the 2026-27 season is a barometer of the future.
Kawhi Leonard, 33, and Tyrese Haliburton, 23, both earn between $49 million and $50 million per year. Desmond Bane agreed to sign a five-year, $197 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies (with an annual salary of $39.4 million) starting the upcoming season. Kyrie Irving and Zion Williamson both earn around $40 million a year. OG Anunoby (five years, $210 million) and Pascal Siakam (four years, $190 million) have both signed extensions to stay with their current teams.
A contract worth about $183 million for Ingram for the next four seasons would be more acceptable to management. That's a difference of $25 million, compared to the $208 million maximum that Executive Vice President David Griffin all but admitted was the problem in his post-draft press conference. The Pelicans may not even have to pay as much money in this market.
Brandon Ingram at home in New Orleans
By all accounts, Ingram didn't want to leave New Orleans. Although fans may have seen some gossip on social media, there is no animosity between the two sides.
A source familiar with the negotiations said ahead of the draft that the speculation early in the offseason was "complete nonsense." The Pelicans "simply don't have to choose [between salary cap and trade]." The same source also said that "nothing was even thought about" while the NBA playoffs were still wrapping up.
After the first round of the NBA Draft, management expressed the same sentiment.
"Brandon wants to stay here," Griffin said. "He believes in what we're building. It makes a lot of sense to him. It also makes sense to his agent. At the same time, we all have to face financial realities. I think we're excited about Brandon. We know he's excited about us as well. Often, these things will somehow produce good results. ”
There is no pressure on either side to make a deal. Ingram is ready to play alongside Zion Williamson next season, and being named to the All-NBA Team would mean a significant boost in potential earnings. The Pelicans know this team is competitive, and if Ingram has to move before the next trade deadline, there will be some very aggressive buyers. If Ingram signs a longer contract this summer, those buyers will pay a premium.
Four offers that the Pelicans can afford
The top salary of $208 million includes an 8% increase per year, without considering any incentives. Ingram's next contract can also start at 30% of the salary cap. For the one-time All-Star, who has missed 82 games in the past three seasons, that means an average of more than $50 million per year. Team sources told The Athletic's Will Guillory that there will be no full maximum salary.
(In parentheses is the number when the renewal amount is less than the maximum salary.) The $39 million starting salary for the renewal amount means that Ingram's annual salary will increase by $3 million from the previous year. That would be the middle price between the Pelicans' current salary at Ingram and the potential salary cap. ）
If Ingram insists on starting with the highest salary, a respectful offer close to the maximum salary may still be too expensive for New Orleans. Even with a slight drop in starting salaries, teams can free up millions of dollars in salary space. If Ingram wants an 8% raise, and believes in the team the team is building, the starting salary for the next contract can't exceed $40 million.
The fixed quadruple offer allows for a 4.5% cost of living raise, which increases as the salary cap increases, making it an option that works in the team's favor. This approach will allow Ingram to receive nearly the same amount of money for the first two seasons. The final addition of the player option is a counter-offer that the team wants from Ingram's agent. Management will have plenty of salary space to build around Zion Williamson in peak form and Ingram, who is approaching 30, in a few years.
The four options would increase Ingram's salary by $4 million per season instead of a percentage. Ingram's salary for the first two years was less than $400,000 of the highest salary. His self-esteem didn't have to take any hits to stay in New Orleans. The team acquired All-Stars for a reasonable price, and the Pelicans could recoup their assets if the team had to be disbanded. The low starting point of $39 million still allows Ingram to finally boast of being a talent with an annual salary of $50 million.
Up-Four Plus Four Option 将融合上述两部分业务。 工资上涨 400 万美元，再加 3%。
If the mix of these four contract options isn't enough, then, this will be a signal that it's time to break ties. However, the Pelicans and Ingram don't seem to be in that stalemate yet. That's why Executive Vice President David Griffin hinted in a post-draft press conference that the NBA roster won't be determined until after training camp begins.