NBA Rumors: Brandon Ingram, Pelicans 'Can't Agree' on Contract amid Trade Buzz

Brandon Ingram will be a free agent after the 2024-25 season, and his future doesn't appear to be with the New Orleans Pelicans.

But according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, finding a trade for the star forward has proven to be difficult:

"Sources told ESPN the two sides can't agree on a contract extension and trade talks since last summer have failed to align. Finding a place where New Orleans can send Ingram's $36 million salary and get value while also reducing salary—the Pelicans are currently in the luxury tax for the first time ever and not likely to stay there—is hard enough. But finding a deal with a team Ingram will be comfortable signing a new contract with has also stalled talks, per sources."

Ingram, 27, has averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game this season and has been one of the few Pelicans to remain relatively healthy, appearing in 16 contests. New Orleans, meanwhile, has been awful to start the season, going 4-16, and the team's playoff hopes appear to be extinguished just a quarter into the 2024-25 campaign.

Dealing Ingram makes sense if New Orleans isn't going to stay in the luxury tax before he leaves for nothing in free agency. To this point, however, such a deal has yet to materialize, and it reportedly isn't down to a lack of due diligence from New Orleans.