Raptors, Pelicans Rosters, Salary Cap and Draft Picks After Brandon Ingram Trade
The Toronto Raptors might have the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference, but that didn't stop them from making an aggressive win-now move ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Raptors are acquiring forward Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans for forward Bruce Brown, center Kelly Olynyk, a future first-round pick and a second-rounder.
Ingram remains out with an ankle sprain, having last played in New Orleans' 119-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 7.
Once he's healthy, this is how Toronto's lineup will look. The most notable change is RJ Barrett likely sliding over to shooting guard to accommodate Ingram:
Raptors Depth Chart
- PG: Immanuel Quickley, Jamal Shead, Davion Mitchellย
- SG: RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Ja'Kobe Walterย
- SF: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, RJ Barrettย
- PF: Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingramย
- C: Jakob Poeltl, Orlando Robinson, Chris Boucher
Especially with the return they received for Ingram, the Pelicans are pretty much waving the white flag amid their brutal 12-39 start, having lost guard Dejounte Murray to a season-ending Achilles injury.
Pelicans Depth Chart
- PG: CJ McCollum, Jose Alvarado, Bruce Brown, Brandon Boston Jr.ย
- SG: Javonte Green, Bruce Brown, Jordan Hawkins, CJ McCollum, Brandon Boston Jr.ย
- SF: Trey Murphy III, Javonte Green, Bruce Brown, Brandon Boston Jr.ย
- PF: Zion Williamson, Karlo Matkoviฤ, Jeremiah Robinson-Earlย
- C: Yves Missi, Kelly Olynyk, Karlo Matkoviฤ
The trade isn't exactly a cost-savings maneuver for New Orleans, which maintains a $170 million payroll by swapping Ingram for Olynyk and Brown. The Pels could claw some money back if they agree to a buyout with Brown, who's collecting a $23 million salary.
The draft compensation adds to an already deep well of assets, with New Orleans still enjoying the fruit of the Jrue Holiday trade.
The Raptors likewise have a lot of flexibility in terms of draft capital. While they don't have any incoming first-rounders from other teams, this is the first outgoing first-round selection on their books.
The true cost of this transaction from Toronto's perspective will be revealed when Ingram either re-signs with the team or walks as a free agent.
The Raptors are on track to have a $137.3 million payroll in 2025-26 without accounting for any of their cap holds. That doesn't leave them with a lot of flexibility when the salary cap is projected to be around $154.6 million.
Retaining Ingram will take them far beyond that number and could put them close to the first luxury tax apron ($195.9 million). The franchise has little choice but to meet the 2019-20 All-Star's asking price, though, since it will have little means of finding an adequate replacement for him.
Team president Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster are displaying a strong endorsement of their current roster along with a firm belief that Ingram will help them contend next year.
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