NBA Rumors: Brandon Ingram Trade 'More Likely' Ahead of Pelicans' Draft, Free Agency

As the New Orleans Pelicans face the possibility of going into the luxury tax next season, Brandon Ingram's future with the organization could be resolved sooner than later.

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, Ingram is considered "more likely" to be traded this week with the draft and free agency both on the horizon.

Ingram's name has been mentioned in trade rumors since the Pelicans' season ended with a first-round sweep against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

One potential issue for the Pelicans if they want to trade Ingram this week is finding a destination. Free agency doesn't begin until Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.

Even though some teams might have an idea of players they might be able to sign ahead of time, a lot of the work will get done after that point.

Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported on June 20 that the Houston Rockets had no interest in a hypothetical deal of Ingram for Alperen Şengün.

According to Iko, the Pelicans also reached out to the Philadelphia 76ers to discuss the 26-year-old.

Philadelphia has positioned itself well to take a massive swing in free agency. Paul George seems to be the team's preferred target, though there's a non-zero chance Daryl Morey tries to draft Bronny James with the hope it will entice LeBron James to sign with the Sixers.

Ingram could be a fallback plan for the 76ers if those scenarios don't play out, but they would likely want to wait for a resolution to the George situation before fully engaging the Pelicans in trade talks.

Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Pelicans are set to be in the luxury tax next season for the first time in franchise history. There is a path to avoid that scenario if they keep Ingram, but it would require letting Jonas Valančiūnas and Naji Marshall leave in free agency.

Another factor complicating Ingram's future is his contract status. He's entering the final season of his current deal and is eligible to sign a four-year extension worth up to $208 million this summer.

Ingram has been a good player for most of his career, but that's a steep investment for someone who isn't generally regarded as an All-Star talent. He has averaged at least 20 points per game in each of his five seasons with the Pelicans and at least 5.5 assists per game in each of the past three seasons.