New Raptors star Brandon Ingram is giving up millions to play in Toronto
Despite being injured, new Toronto Raptors star player Brandon Ingram has already found a way to help out his new team.
Ingram, who joined his Raptors teammates in Oklahoma City ahead of tonight’s game against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, is waiving his trade bonus, according to Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy.
Ingram has decided to leave $2.1 million on the table.
Brandon Ingram is waiving his trade bonus, per source.
He would have been owed roughly $2.1M — paid by Pelicans but counting against Raptors cap/tax — but foregoing that here.
Raptors have ample breathing room for rest-of-season deals.
Nice start to the relationship.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) February 7, 2025
The 27-year-old will earn over $38 million this season, so he can afford it.
The trade bonus was to be paid by the New Orleans Pelicans, who sent Ingram to the Raptors in a multi-player deal on the eve of the trade deadline earlier this week. But the money was going to count against the Raptors’ salary cap/tax.
The result is the Raptors will have more space to improve the team the rest of this season.
Ingram’s Raptors future
Stephen Lew/USA TODAY Sports
Tuesday’s trade was an unconventional one, given the Raptors are supposed to be rebuilding. Toronto’s out of a playoff spot and yet they chose to give up a first-round pick in the deal for Ingram, who is a pending free agent.
Raptors president Masai Ujiri surely feels confident he can get the former All-Star re-signed. Assuming that happens, Ingram gives the Raptors hope for next season.
The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 18 games with New Orleans this season. He’ll wear OG Anunoby’s old jersey number (3) with the Raptors.
The big question for Ingram is if he can stay healthy. He hasn’t played more than 64 games in a season since his rookie year with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016-17.
Raptors commit to Jamison Battle
In other news, the Raptors have converted two-way forward Jamison Battle to a three-year standard NBA contract, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The 23-year-old rookie has appeared in 35 games for Toronto this season, averaging 5.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 12.6 minutes per game. The 6-foot-7 forward came to the Raptors as an unsigned free agent out of Ohio State last July.