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New Orleans Pelicans F Brandon Ingram has agreed to a five-year, $158 million contract extension, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday afternoon. Ingram was a restricted free agent but there was never really any doubt he would re-sign with the Pelicans.
Ingram passed on a more modest extension offer a year ago after arriving from Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade. He counted on a bigger role to elevate his performance and earning power, and it did. Ingram earned a Western Conference All-Star berth and now cashes in on max deal. https://t.co/SFLtBdX3p5
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 24, 2020
Ingram was acquired by the Pels in the Anthony Davis trade, the centerpiece of the deal for NOLA. He came through in his first season with the Pelicans, making his first All-Star team after averaging 23.8 points per game. Ingram was also named to an All-Defensive team and won Most Improved Player in 2019-20. Despite the Pelicans coming short of a playoff berth, life is looking up for Ingram and the rest of the young core.
Ingram is also the latest player coming off a rookie contract to ink an extension. Shams Charania reported earlier that Heat C Bam Adebayo is expected to sign a max extension with Miami. Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell both did the same this offseason coming off rookie deals. All four players are All-Stars, so there’s too much money and incentive to not stick around.