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New Orleans Pelicans: Three bold predictions for Brandon Ingram

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on January 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-95. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on January 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-95. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – New Orleans Pelicans
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – New Orleans Pelicans /

3. The New Orleans Pelicans ink Brandon Ingram to a five-year, $100 million contract

Following an all-star year which proves to be the best of Brandon Ingram’s career, he will be rewarded by the team that traded for him with a new contract. As previously mentioned, Ingram is set to be a restricted free agent next summer, meaning that any team can offer him a contract but the Pelicans have the right to match anything that is offered.

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The Pelicans are going to want to get this done early on in the free-agent process and are going to ink Ingram to a five-year, $100 million contract before any other team can even get an offer in.

It might seem like way too much to pay Ingram $20 million per year for five years right now but it will be worth it after the year he has in 2019. Plus, it would be kind of pointless to lose Ingram to free agency after just one year when he was one of the key pieces in the Davis trade.

You could even make the case for Ingram getting closer to what D’Angelo Russell got this summer after his breakout year but I think it will be a number closer to Malcolm Brogdon‘s, which saw Brogdon get $21.25 million per year. Plus, an extra year of security on the back end is always important and would still allow Ingram one more big payday.

Once they renounce all of the rights for their cap holds the Pelicans will have around $32 million in salary-cap space for next season. With even more money freed up eventually in Redick and Holiday, signing Ingram will not restrict the Pelicans from working on contracts with Ball, Zion or any of the young players.

Next. Bold predictions for Lonzo Ball. dark

After a breakout year this season, Brandon Ingram is going to prove to be a huge piece of the New Orleans Pelicans’ future, which will get him a sizable contract.

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