NBA Trade Rumors: Pelicans' Brandon Ingram Eyed By Spurs Before De'Aaron Fox Links

The San Antonio Spurs checked in with the New Orleans Pelicans regarding forward Brandon Ingram, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, before rumors quickly circulated regarding the team's interest in Sacramento Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox: "Well before Fox became a trade candidate, the Spurs previously checked in to gauge the price tag on Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, league sources told HoopsHype.

Talks, however, were described as exploratory interest." Multiple reporters stated Tuesday that Fox, a pending free agent in 2026, has his sights set on landing with the Spurs, including James Ham of ESPN 1320 and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Those reports emerged after ESPN's Shams Charania stated that the Kings were "expected to open up talks to potentially deal" Fox ahead of next Thursday's trade deadline, in addition to the point guard having a "target destination" in mind.

As for Ingram, there's been plenty of rumors and speculation about his next destination.

He's on an expiring contract and set to be a free agent in 2025.

The Pelicans are struggling at second-last in the Western Conference standings.

At this point, they are best-served trading Ingram (and perhaps other players) in hopes of rebuilding and starting anew.

In Ingram's case, the Pels risk losing him for nothing this offseason without a trade, so a move makes sense.

Ingram is currently out of the lineup due to a low left ankle sprain suffered on Dec.

7, but he was productive when healthy, posting 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists over his first 18 games.

The 27-year-old Ingram has played nine NBA seasons (three with the Los Angeles Lakers, six with the Pels) and fared quite well in New Orleans, posting 23.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 5.2 APG.

His time there may be up soon, so the question is where he could end up by next Thursday's trade deadline.

One can guess that the Spurs may be most focused landing Fox at the moment, so Ingram appears out of the picture anyway, adding to the fact that San Antonio's inquiry on him was exploratory, per Scotto.

But he's certainly one of the biggest names out there available for a move as the trade deadline nears..

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