In a major development that could shape the NBA’s upcoming free agency period, New Orleans Pelicans star forward Brandon Ingram has signed with Klutch Sports Group, the powerhouse agency led by Rich Paul, according to league sources. The move positions Ingram, who is set to be this offseason’s most coveted free agent, to negotiate a massive new contract and brings his future in New Orleans into sharp focus.
Ingram’s Pending Free Agency Looms Large
Ingram, a 27-year-old All-Star who has blossomed into one of the NBA’s most dynamic scorers, has just one year and $36 million remaining on his current contract with the Pelicans. Attempts to reach an extension or facilitate a trade during the offseason fell short, setting the stage for Ingram to hit unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2025.
The Pelicans have made no secret of their desire to keep Ingram as a cornerstone piece alongside budding superstar Zion Williamson. “Brandon wants to stay here,” Pelicans VP David Griffin said in June. “At the same time, there is a financial reality that we all deal with.” That reality could lead to some tense negotiations in the months ahead.
Klutch’s Track Record of Securing Massive Deals
Ingram’s decision to align with Klutch Sports is a potential game-changer. The agency, founded by LeBron James’ close friend and now-CEO Rich Paul, has a reputation for driving a hard bargain and extracting maximum value for its clients. Klutch has negotiated some of the NBA’s richest contracts in recent years, including:
- LeBron James’ $153 million deal with the Lakers in 2018
- Anthony Davis’ $190 million extension with the Lakers in 2020
- Ben Simmons’ $177 million rookie max extension in 2019
- Draymond Green’s $100 million extension with the Warriors in 2019
With that kind of track record, it’s clear Ingram and his camp believe Klutch gives them the best chance to secure a contract that reflects his standing as one of the league’s elite young players. A deal that could approach or even exceed $200 million seems plausible.
High Stakes for the Pelicans’ Future
For New Orleans, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The small-market franchise has patiently constructed an exciting young core around Williamson, Ingram, and guard CJ McCollum, with the goal of becoming a perennial contender. Losing Ingram for nothing in free agency would be a massive blow to those ambitions.
According to a source close to the situation, the Pelicans remain optimistic they can find common ground with Ingram and Klutch. “There’s a lot of mutual respect there,” the source said. “Brandon has really embraced the city and the team’s vision. But these things are always tricky. You never really know until the deal is signed.”
An Intriguing Subplot to the 2024-25 Season
Ingram’s pending free agency now looms as a fascinating subplot to watch throughout the upcoming season. Will he continue to post All-Star numbers and establish himself as a true superstar? Will the Pelicans exceed expectations and make a deep playoff run? Or will the uncertainty over Ingram’s future become an unavoidable distraction?
Those questions will hover over every twist and turn of the Pelicans’ season – and Ingram’s every move will be dissected through the lens of his next contract. It sets up a high-stakes challenge for the team’s leadership as they try to keep everyone focused on winning while the business of basketball plays out in the background.
We can’t control what happens off the court or what people are talking about in the media. Our job is to compete and get better every day. That’s where our focus has to be.
– Brandon Ingram, on his pending free agency
In the end, Ingram’s next contract – and whether it’s with the Pelicans or another team – will come down to just how much the 27-year-old has elevated his game. Perennial All-Star? Franchise cornerstone? Budding superstar? How the Pelicans and the rest of the league answer those questions will determine just how rich Ingram’s Klutch-negotiated payday will be.
For now, with training camps still weeks away, all eyes in New Orleans and around the NBA will be on one of the most intriguing player-agency pairings in recent memory – and the high-stakes negotiations it portends as the 2024-25 season inches closer. Brandon Ingram has always let his game do the talking. But with Klutch Sports now in his corner, the whole basketball world will be listening.
