NBA Trade Rumors: San Antonio Spurs Eye Pelicans' Brandon Ingram Before De'Aaron Fox Links
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the San Antonio Spurs contacted the New Orleans Pelicans about forward Brandon Ingram. However, speculations soon surfaced that the team was interested in Sacramento Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox.
League insiders tell HoopsHype that the Spurs had earlier inquired about the price of Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram before Fox was considered as a trade target. However, the talks were characterized as exploratory in nature.
Fox, a 2026 free agent, has his sights set on joining the Spurs, according to several reporters on Tuesday, including Sam Amick of The Athletic and James Ham of ESPN 1320.
Those reports emerged after ESPN's Shams Charania stated that the Kings were "expected to open up talks to potentially deal" Fox ahead of next Thursday's trade deadline, in addition to the point guard having a "target destination" in mind.
As for Ingram, there's been plenty of rumors and speculation about his next destination. He's on an expiring contract and set to be a free agent in 2025. The Pelicans are struggling at second-last in the Western Conference standings. At this point, they are best-served trading Ingram (and perhaps other players) in hopes of rebuilding and starting anew. In Ingram's case, the Pels risk losing him for nothing this offseason without a trade, so a move makes sense.
Due to a mild left ankle sprain sustained on December 7, Ingram is presently out of the lineup. However, during his healthy spell, he was effective, recording 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in his first 18 games.
Ingram, 27, has played in nine NBA seasons (six with the Pels and three with the Los Angeles Lakers). He did well in New Orleans, averaging 23.0 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 5.2 assists per game. The question is where he might wind up by next Thursday's trade deadline, as his time there might be coming to an end.
In addition to the fact that San Antonio's interest in him was exploratory, Scotto speculates that the Spurs may be more interested in acquiring Fox right now, thus Ingram doesn't seem to be in the picture. However, as the trade deadline draws closer, he's undoubtedly among the more prominent names available for a deal.
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