NBA Insider: 'Pelicans Are Going to Make a Major Trade' amid Brandon Ingram Buzz

The New Orleans Pelicans are "going to make a major trade" amid questions regarding Brandon Ingram's future with the team, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks .

The Pelicans are all but out of playoff contention while sitting more than $2 million above the luxury tax, per Spotrac .

As Marks put it: "They have not finished a season over the tax in franchise history and will not do so this year, especially in the lottery." Marks named Daniel Theis, Javonte Green and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl as trade candidates whose outgoing salary would lower the Pelicans below the tax.

The Pelicans could alternatively deal Ingram, who is making $36 million on an expiring contract this season, and take back $34 million or less in return in order to dip below the tax, Marks noted.

Ingram's future with the Pelicans "continues to be in flux," per Marks, as he prepares to miss a 23rd straight game since suffering a left ankle sprain on Dec.

7.

Marks and Tim MacMahon reported for ESPN in December that the Pelicans were prioritizing finding a trade destination for Ingram after extension talks "repeatedly fizzled" in New Orleans.

However, Jake Fischer recently reported for The Stein Line that the Pelicans "still remain open to re-signing Ingram this summer." Even if the Pelicans do not believe they will be able to find common ground with Ingram's camp this summer, however, his potentially limited trade market could get in the way of New Orleans landing on a deal.

As ESPN's NBA insiders reported earlier this month: "If another team had been motivated to offer equivalent talent that better fits the Pelicans' roster and payroll, they would have already made that trade." Even if Ingram sticks around in New Orleans past the trade deadline, the Pelicans will likely be making another move in order to dip below the tax and the associated penalties.

The team is down to just nine more days to figure out exactly what that deal will look like..

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