Yet another NBA trade domino has dropped, with the New Orleans Pelicans dealing rangy forward Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors in an intriguing Thursday afternoon (AEDT) move.
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According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, Ingram was dealt to the Raptors for guard-forward Bruce Brown Jr., centre Kelly Olynyk, one first-round pick and one second-rounder. Fellow insider Chris Haynes also reported on the deal.
The 27-year-old North Carolina native remains sidelined with a troublesome left ankle injury and had previously been floated as a potential target for the Golden State Warriors, among other Western Conference rivals.
The move comes just hours after the Miami Heat finally parted ways with All-NBA forward Jimmy Butler in a blockbuster four-team deal.
A one-time All-Star, Ingram had averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 18 games this season before suffering his injury.
Toronto is a curious destination, with the 16-35 Raptors seemingly in the process of rebuilding their roster, sitting third-last in the Eastern Conference.
Ingram joins a core comprising up-and-coming star Scottie Barnes, crafty left-hander RJ Barrett and shooter Gradey Dick, but it has prompted some criticism, with CBS reporter Sam Quinn recalling a similar Raptors roster construction issue from previous seasons.
Toronto adds Ingram arguably at the height of his talents but is nowhere close to a contending position.
The 6-8 forward, who is one of the league’s best mid-range shooters whose talents extend beyond the three-point arc, is in the final year of a five-year, US$158.2 million (AU$252.5 million) contract.
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