According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Brandon Ingram has agreed to re-sign with the New Orleans Pelicans on a maximum contract. It is a five-year deal worth $158 million. He entered this offseason as a restricted free agent.
New Orleans Pelicans Re-Signs Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans All-Star F Brandon Ingram has agreed to a five-year, $158 million maximum contract extension, his agents Jeff Schwartz and Jordan Gertler of @excelsm_bball tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 24, 2020
Ingram took a big step forward last year after being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game during his first year with the Pelicans. Ingram also shot the ball very well and drastically improved his free throw shooting percentage. He shot 46.3 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from three, and a career-high 85.1 percent from the foul line. Ingram’s performance last year earned him his first All-Star appearance and also a Most Improved Player of the Year award.
Despite Ingram’s success with the Pelicans last year, the team was not able to make it to the Playoffs in the stacked Western Conference. It did not help that Zion Williamson missed most of the season due to a knee injury. Furthermore, their team’s defense was one of the worst in the league last year, and the Pelicans lost many close games because of their defense.
What Ingram Brings to the Table
Ingram will now enter his 5th NBA season as an excellent offensive player. He can score from anywhere on the court. The Pelicans will be relying on Ingram to shoulder a heavy load on offense. However, he is still a work in progress on the defensive side of the ball. The reigning Most Improved Player of the Year is still only 23 and has a long career ahead of him. Ingram ascended to stardom last year and will look to improve in this upcoming season.
The Pelicans will look to make some noise in the Western Conference next year with Ingram being one of the guys leading the charge. He will have some time off before he returns to training camp with the Pelicans.
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