The New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly locked forward Brandon Ingram, the 2020’s NBA Most Improved Player, to a long-term extension.

According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the 23-year-old Ingram agreed to a max deal with the Pels that will net him $158 million in the next five years. He’ll possibly get his earnings up to $195 million in case he makes one of the All-NBA teams. 

Ingram, who was the No.2 pick in 2016, arrived in New Orleans last year in a trade that saw Anthony Davis join the Lakers. He decided to pass on the more modest extension offer from Pelicans at the time, hoping to improve his game and get himself a more lucrative deal this offseason.

Betting on himself proved to be a good move, as Ingram emerged as arguably the Pelicans’ best players in 2019/20. He had a breakthrough regular season campaign, during which he averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. This earned him not only the MIP award but also a spot on the All-Star team.

Having Brandon Ingram on board for five more years means that the Pelicans have now positioned themselves as an emerging force in the Western Conference. They have an abundance of young talent surrounding Ingram, including 2019’s first overall pick Zion Williamson and guard Lonzo Ball, while also being in a position to get more impactful players thanks to draft assets acquired in previous trades.

The post New Orleans Locks NBA’s MIP Brandon Ingram to a 5-Year, $158 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

New Orleans Pelicans’ forward Brandon Ingram had a stellar campaign in 2019/20, and his growth as a player obviously didn’t go unnoticed as he received the NBA’s Most Improved Player award on Monday. 

Ingram received 42 first-place votes from 100 voters, collecting 326 points in total. His closest follower was Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo with 38 first-place votes and 295 points, while Dallas Mavericks’ phenom Luka Doncic got 101 points and 12 first-place votes.

Ingram had career-highs all across the board this season, his first with Pelicans, averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. This led him to getting an All-Star call-up for the first time in his career.

“I think this year was just the year I had the most fun, the most fun playing basketball that way that I wanted to play basketball,” said Ingram after learning the news. “I had an opportunity to be in the gym every day with my teammates, who love to do the same things that I love to do. … That was just the most enjoyable moment for me. I don’t think it was a stat or anything that made me the happiest or motivated me the most. “

Brandon Ingram spent the first three seasons of his NBA career with Los Angeles Lakers, who took him No. 2 in the 2016 NBA Draft. He was traded to New Orleans last summer, being part of the blockbuster trade that saw Anthony Davis head to LA.

The post Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram Named NBA’s Most Improved Player for 2019/20 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly locked forward Brandon Ingram, the 2020’s NBA Most Improved Player, to a long-term extension.

According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the 23-year-old Ingram agreed to a max deal with the Pels that will net him $158 million in the next five years. He’ll possibly get his earnings up to $195 million in case he makes one of the All-NBA teams. 

Ingram, who was the No.2 pick in 2016, arrived in New Orleans last year in a trade that saw Anthony Davis join the Lakers. He decided to pass on the more modest extension offer from Pelicans at the time, hoping to improve his game and get himself a more lucrative deal this offseason.

Betting on himself proved to be a good move, as Ingram emerged as arguably the Pelicans’ best players in 2019/20. He had a breakthrough regular season campaign, during which he averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. This earned him not only the MIP award but also a spot on the All-Star team.

Having Brandon Ingram on board for five more years means that the Pelicans have now positioned themselves as an emerging force in the Western Conference. They have an abundance of young talent surrounding Ingram, including 2019’s first overall pick Zion Williamson and guard Lonzo Ball, while also being in a position to get more impactful players thanks to draft assets acquired in previous trades.

The post New Orleans Locks NBA’s MIP Brandon Ingram to a 5-Year, $158 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

New Orleans Pelicans’ forward Brandon Ingram had a stellar campaign in 2019/20, and his growth as a player obviously didn’t go unnoticed as he received the NBA’s Most Improved Player award on Monday. 

Ingram received 42 first-place votes from 100 voters, collecting 326 points in total. His closest follower was Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo with 38 first-place votes and 295 points, while Dallas Mavericks’ phenom Luka Doncic got 101 points and 12 first-place votes.

Ingram had career-highs all across the board this season, his first with Pelicans, averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. This led him to getting an All-Star call-up for the first time in his career.

“I think this year was just the year I had the most fun, the most fun playing basketball that way that I wanted to play basketball,” said Ingram after learning the news. “I had an opportunity to be in the gym every day with my teammates, who love to do the same things that I love to do. … That was just the most enjoyable moment for me. I don’t think it was a stat or anything that made me the happiest or motivated me the most. “

Brandon Ingram spent the first three seasons of his NBA career with Los Angeles Lakers, who took him No. 2 in the 2016 NBA Draft. He was traded to New Orleans last summer, being part of the blockbuster trade that saw Anthony Davis head to LA.

The post Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram Named NBA’s Most Improved Player for 2019/20 appeared first on SportzBonanza.