Brandon Ingram Makes Feelings on Raptors Very Clear
The Toronto Raptors had a down season, but the franchise has a bright future. In addition to having a promising core of Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Gradey Dick, they also own a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Raptors acquired Ingram on Feb. 6 from the New Orleans Pelicans for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2031 second-rounder. Then, they signed the former Most Improved Player to a three-year, $120 million extension on Feb. 12. He now has a $41.9 million player option for 2027-28.
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Ingram didn't play for Toronto this season due to an ankle injury, but he still had nothing but good things to say about the team on Monday, via Raptors Updates' Omer Osman.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram reacts after making a 3-pointer against the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Center on Dec. 5, 2024.Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
'It's a first-class organization,' the 27-year-old said. "It teaches you how to be a professional; time management."
'What I didn't know is how much grit they had on the defensive end," he continued. "They set a standard for every team that comes in here; they know about the Toronto Raptors defense."
The Raptors ranked 15th in the league with a 113.6 defensive rating this past season, via NBA Advanced Stats.
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Ingram was drafted No. 2 overall out of Duke by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016. On July 6, 2019, the Lakers traded him, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, the draft rights to De'Andre Hunter, two first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and cash to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis.
Ingram averaged 22.2 points on 46.5 percent shooting (37.4 percent 3 PT) with 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists across 18 games in the 2024-25 campaign.
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