by Rell Wright/Pelican Contributor

Brandon Ingram remains committed to the New Orleans Pelicans for the next two seasons, honoring the five-year deal he inked back in 2020. Currently under contract for $33.8 million this season and $36.0 million in the following season, Ingram has the option to extend his partnership with the Pelicans through a contract extension before the regular season tips off in October.

Sources close to the situation have informed The Times-Picayune that Ingram intends to delay extension negotiations until the upcoming summer, choosing to bide his time with the franchise that brought him in via the Anthony Davis trade four years ago. Notably, Ingram stands to gain “Supermax” eligibility should he earn an All-NBA team nod in the forthcoming season. This designation would allow him to secure a lucrative five-year extension, with the average annual value starting at an impressive 35% of the salary cap.

As it stands, Ingram has the option to extend for three years, totaling $147 million. However, the allure of a full five-year Supermax extension presents an opportunity to nearly double that sum in guaranteed earnings. Ingram’s injury history is a point of consideration, with the player missing 65 or more games in a season only in his rookie year.

Crucially, Ingram and Zion Williamson, teammates since 2019, have struggled to share the court consistently, featuring in only 93 games together during their partnership. To elevate their performance as a team, the Pelicans undoubtedly require both stars to be available more frequently.

Despite facing injuries during the 2022-23 campaign, Ingram finished the season on a high note. Over his last 25 games, he averaged an impressive 27.5 points on 50.7% shooting from the field, complemented by a 39.3% success rate from beyond the arc, all while dishing out 6.5 assists per game.