{"id":123142,"date":"2025-02-10T13:04:12","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T18:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=123142"},"modified":"2025-02-10T13:04:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T18:04:12","slug":"raptors-brandon-ingram-long-term-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/10\/raptors-brandon-ingram-long-term-contract\/","title":{"rendered":"Raptors GM Hopeful Brandon Ingram Trade Extends Long-Term"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NBA’s lone Canadian franchise made its biggest splash since\u00a0<\/span>Kawhi Leonard<\/span><\/a>\u00a0last week when the\u00a0<\/span>Toronto Raptors <\/span><\/a>initiated<\/span> a trade for\u00a0<\/span>Brandon Ingram<\/span><\/a>. While this move won’t lead to an immediate championship like Kawhi’s did, it instills some hope for an organization’s future that has fallen off since that incredible 2019 title run. Ingram is a proven scorer and All-Star\u2014a talent the Raptors desperately need. The question is, what does Ingram’s future in Toronto look like? Raptors GM\u00a0<\/span>Bobby Webster is hopeful that everything will come together<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Raptors GM Hopeful Brandon Ingram Trade Extends Long-Term<\/h2>\n

Toronto Raptors GM Bobby Webster Speaks Out About Brandon Ingram Trade, Contract Discussions Ongoing<\/h3>\n

One thing the Raptors have going for them is their core players, all in their prime or entering their prime.\u00a0<\/span>Scottie Barnes<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>RJ Barrett<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>and Immanuel Quickly<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are all south of 30 years old. Ingram, 27, is in the middle of his prime playing days. Toronto is a young team with gifted talent, and adding Ingram to the mix only intensifies what Webster foresees as a positive aspect of the organization’s rebuild.\u00a0What they do need is some solid veteran presence, but that is another task to tackle perhaps in the offseason<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInteresting to see as we add a first-round pick, add a second-round pick, hopefully able to retain Ingram, see what that team looks like, but we\u2019ll temper expectations as this team grows,\u201d Webster said. \u201cScottie Barnes is 23, Immanuel Quickley is 25, RJ Barrett is 24, Brandon is still just 27, so I think even from that perspective it\u2019s a young core. We\u2019ll continue the rebuild, I think this is a progress. No change in progress or timeline.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

As for Ingram’s future, Webster claims confidence in keeping the former All-Star<\/a> past this season. Ingram will hit free agency in the summer.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re having [contract] discussions now. We wouldn\u2019t do the deal unless we felt there was a comfort level with what he was looking for, what we were able to offer, an interest level in coming to Toronto.\u00a0<\/em>Hopefully we can get something done. Like when we traded for Jakob Poeltl<\/a>, it enables us to get the player in the system and for them to get a feel for us, we get a feel for them. The goal is to have a long-term extension with him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Can Ingram and Barnes Form A Playoff Contending Duo?<\/h3>\n

With Ingram and Barnes together, the Raptors have a solid All-Star caliber duo. Ingram has been an elite scorer since his beginnings with the\u00a0<\/span>Los Angeles Lakers<\/span><\/a>. He’s a 19.5 career points per game scorer and shoots 36.3% from three. Not only does his scoring highlight his skillset, but Ingram’s rebounding abilities are also of note. His size and versatility to go up for the ball is one of his more underrated talents. With Barnes averaging 19.9 points per game this season, Toronto has two players who can create their own offense, plus strong rebounding; Barnes pulls down 7.8 rebounds per game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The question is, how will these two players gel, and can they complement each other’s games? Ingram’s addition gives Toronto increased chances of playoff positioning next season. Additionally, the offseason provides further opportunity to build the roster. The Raptors have been irrelevant for a few years now. Trading for Ingram is a good step in becoming relevant once again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n