Toronto Raptors ’emerge as team to watch’ for Brandon Ingram

The Toronto Raptors have been named as a possible suitor for New Orleans Pelicans wing Brandon Ingram, per Marc Stein.

“I’m informed Toronto has emerged as a workforce to observe with regards to Ingram, stated Stein in his substack ‘The Stein Line’.

“It stays to be seen whether or not the Raptors turn into greater than that the place Ingram is worried, however the mere suggestion of potential Raptors curiosity is probably the most vital improvement in weeks with regards to the New Orleans ahead who earned his lone All-Star berth through the 2019-20 season interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.”

The 6-foot-8, 190-pound ahead has solely appeared in 18 video games this season for the Pelicans on account of harm. Ingram has been out since Dec. 7 with a left ankle sprain and nonetheless hasn’t been cleared for contact drills per Pels head coach Willie Inexperienced.

In his restricted enjoying time this season, the 27-year-old is averaging 22.2 factors, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 shares whereas capturing 46.5 p.c from the sector and 37.4 p.c from distance.

All through his nine-year NBA profession, Ingram has captured the Most Improved Participant award (2019-2020) and an All-Star look, whereas having profession averages of 19.5 factors, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 shares. He’s additionally been very constant from past the arc, hitting at a 36.3 p.c clip all through his NBA tenure, one thing the Raptors may use.

The Kinston, North Carolina native has been in commerce rumours since earlier than the season started, and the Pelicans have made it identified that they need to commerce Ingram forward of the Feb. 6 commerce deadline.

Ingram is about to be an unrestricted free agent within the offseason, combined with the harm and his ball-dominant play model, the previous All-Star’s worth is hard to gauge.

Whereas many consider the Raptors will likely be sellers come early February, with the likes of Bruce Brown Jr., Chris Boucher, Jakob Poeltl, and Kelly Olynyk producing curiosity across the league, it wouldn’t be the primary time Masai Ujiri and Co. zag once they’re anticipated to zig. Forward of the 2023 commerce deadline, the Dinos re-acquired Poeltl from the Spurs, giving up a primary spherical decide within the course of when it was believed the workforce would promote.