5 way too early NBA trade deadline targets for fringe contenders

3) Brandon Ingram

It seems like the trade rumors involving Brandon Ingram will never end. The forward has been at the center of trade talks for New Orleans for the last six months. The Pelicans reportedly have no interest in giving Ingram the four-year, $200 million extension he wants and would rather trade him.

However, they have not been able to find a trade partner this offseason. Ingram reportedly didn’t show up to the Pelicans minicamp earlier this month as well and this situation could get ugly really quickly.

There is no denying the talent that Ingram has. He is an efficient 20 PPG, three level scorer and has made strides as a playmaker. However, he is coming off a subpar postseason performance that led to the Pelicans getting swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In that series, Ingram averaged 14 PPG on 35 percent shooting and 25 percent from three-point range. While he was without his running mate in Zion Williamson, Ingram did not perform in the way he needed to.

With training camp opening in just over two weeks and no contract offer from New Orleans, this situation between Ingram and the front office could get ugly. With that said, I do not think Ingram finishes the 24-25 season as a Pelican, making him a top trade target.