Analyzing Spurs fit with Pelicans star rumored to be on the move

The San Antonio Spurs have been quiet since the Chris Paul acquisition on the first day of free agency on June 30, but there is still work to be done around the league. Rosters are taking shape in preparation for the 2024–2025 season, and some of the names floated in trade rumors have been a bit surprising. However, Brandon Ingram seems to be an obvious candidate to be packaged in a deal for the Pelicans.

It feels like New Orleans has hit a ceiling with their group as currently constructed. It's why they made a move to acquire Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks. Murray has shown an ability to get good shots in the clutch, and the Pelicans need a player who can help them close games, but to compete in the West, they'll need more depth, and Ingram, at 26 years old, is the perfect piece to dangle to teams looking for a dynamic scorer.

Should the Spurs call the Pelicans about Ingram?

The short answer is no. While he is close enough in age to the core group centered around Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama, he lacks the drive Spurs fans like to see in their players. There are too many times when watching Pelicans games that you'll feel like Brandon Ingram is disinterested in what's taking place on the basketball court. You can't deny his talent, but he is 6'8 with a 7'3 wingspan and has so many offensive tools, he should be averaging more than 21 points per game.

He's often described as a poor man's Kevin Durant, and there's no reason for San Antonio to add any semblance of poverty to this roster. In a basketball sense, he would fit in a five-out style of offense if the Spurs wanted to emulate the Boston Celtics' philosophy, but it would be a poor choice for the culture of the locker room.

The Spurs should stick to trying to land Lauri Markkanen or building with patience through the draft while being aggressive on the market when presented with the right opportunity.