The New Orleans Pelicans had a disastrous 2024-25 season. The team was forced to roster 25 different players, and its entire core dealt with injuries, resulting in the second-worst record in the league. The two positives that came from this were that the Pelicans would be getting a lottery pick to add to their young core and that the front office finally had a reason to pull the plug on Brandon Ingram's time in New Orleans.
BI had never played over 64 games in a season during his time with the Pelicans, and it felt like it was time to move on from the 27-year-old wing, especially with the emergence of Trey Murphy III.