Brandon Ingram reflects on Toronto Raptors trade and shares thoughts on his future
Oddly, one of the most important players for the Toronto Raptors next season might not have played for them yet.
Midseason trade acquisition Brandon Ingram, who has been out since December with an ankle injury he suffered with the New Orleans Pelicans, met with the team today as part of their annual end-of-season meetings.
“Things are trending in the right way,” said Ingram, who got an injection in his ankle earlier this week.
“It was a year of change,” Ingram added. “I came to a new team, and it feels like another start for me, where I can have a chance to have an imprint on the organization, where I can lead, and I can show some different things about myself on and off the floor.”
The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 18 games with New Orleans this season. An All-Star in 2020 with the Pelicans and a former third overall pick from the Los Angeles Lakers, Ingram is hopeful his third team will be one where he’ll be similarly impactful.
“I’m a fast learner, and you know, this whole process has been about adaptation and being here and knowing what it what it’s going to take to win.”
Ingram also reflected on what he’s learned about his new teammates since coming to Toronto in early February.
“What I didn’t know about the team is how much grit they had on the defensive side of the basketball, and they set a standard for every team that comes in. They know about the Toronto Raptors’ defence… I want to be a reflection of my teammates, of how the organization has set a standard, and also bring my offensive side of the basketball,” he added.
While his on-court work has been limited, Ingram praised various members of the organization for helping him get back to 100 per cent ahead of next season.
“The medical staff, [assistant coach] Pat Delany, [head coach] Darko [Rajakovic], Masai [Ujiri], everybody has constant communication with me on what they see on the floor, how they envision me on the floor, what they want to see for me this summer, my leadership with my teammates, how they want me to interact. So everybody has played a part in my rehab and getting back.”
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