The Toronto Raptors made a big splash when they acquired New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram in exchange for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 top-four protected first-round pick via the Indiana Pacers and a 2031 second-round selection.
The Raptors saw this as an opportunity to help their rebuild by acquiring one of the best versatile forwards in the game.
Scottie Barnes was excited when talking about the Ingram trade, via Sportsnet’s Michael Grange:
“We knew something was going to happen. Sad for Kelly, Bruce, Davion. I know they did a lot of great things here. You know, they helped us build, I love those guys, but, you know, we got a great guy in Brandon Ingram just being around him so far. Great dude, chill dude. I can see I’m gonna get some love out of him. You know, I feel like there’s a lot of love in his heart. So I think, I think we’ll have a special connection. But, you know, just excited for him to be here and try to keep building.”
The Raptors are going to have to wait to see Ingram on the court paired alongside Barnes. Grange reported that Ingram, who has been out since Dec. 7 with an ankle injury, isn’t expected to be back for “at least a month.”
That will help the Raptors remain bad as they have their sights set on the upcoming draft. However, it would be nice to see Ingram get some reps in with the Raptors’ core before season’s end.
Ingram’s offense will help the Raptors immensely and his insertion into the starting lineup will help take the pressure off his teammates, notably Barnes who can now go back to playing his game. Barnes talked about what Ingram’s addition means to the team, via Grange:
“He’s got a great game. Gets to the mid-range, plays the right way. He’s an excellent player [and] he’s going to take pressure off all of us … being able to score the ball, get downhill. Teams got to respect him. He’s a respected player in this league, and with all the things that he can do, he’s gonna take pressure off RJ [Barrett], gonna take pressure off me, gonna take pressure off [Immanuel Quickley]; allow Gradey [Dick] to get some easy looks. He’s gonna take pressure off everybody.”
Ingram and Barnes have a chance to become a very special duo in the Eastern Conference for years to come.
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