Brandon Ingram wants to be in Toronto.
That’s great for the Raptors who gave up a future first-round pick to acquire the former All-Star.
The Raptors wouldn’t have traded for Ingram who’s a pending unrestricted free agent, if they didn’t have the utmost confidence that they will re-sign him in the offseason
“Brandon [Ingram] wants to be here. I think this was an intentional sort of effort and decision by him so we appreciate that, Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said. “Obviously we’ve been able to talk to his agent and representatives over the last 24 hours or so, and so we’re comfortable with where we are.”
How Ingram’s next contract shapes up remains to be seen, but it seems like the Raptors have a good idea of where things stand.
Per Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, Ingram is eligible for a five-year deal worth $269 million if he goes to free agency and re-signs with Toronto for the max. The Raptors can also decide to extend his current deal, which Toronto has up until June 30 to do and that number would max out at three years and $144 million, per Grange. That’s the extreme side of things, though.
Grange believes that Ingram’s next deal will be more likely an extension and not for the full max:
“Reading between the lines and having spoken with some people close to the situation, chances are Ingram’s next deal will more likely be an extension — so three years rather than five — and not necessarily for the full max, with the Raptors having the benefit of the free agent market being a tight one this coming summer.”
Webster didn’t seem too stressed when asked about running into the luxury tax when re-singing Ingram and adding his salary to the roughly $118.4 million the Raptors have committed to Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl next season.
“I think we’ve always said listen we’re going into the luxury tax when we want to be competitive,” Webster said.
The next step for the Raptors is trying to position themselves well for the upcoming draft. Then after that they can fully focus on Ingram’s next deal, which will shape the team going forward.
Raptors reveal plan for rest of season following Brandon Ingram trade
The Toronto Raptors are still focused on the upcoming draft.
Raptors general manger Bobby Webster made it crystal clear that despite trading for Brandon Ingram, the 2025 NBA Draft is mission No. 1 for the front office.
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