Report: Pelicans' priority is trading Ingram

Brandon Ingram may be on his way out of New Orleans.

Trading the forward is the Pelicans' front office's priority heading toward the Feb. 6 trade deadline, sources told ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks.

Ingram is in the final year of his contract and will enter free agency this offseason. The Pelicans originally looked to extend the 27-year-old, but talks fizzled out, according to MacMahon and Marks.

The Pelicans acquired Ingram from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019. He earned the Most Improved Player Award in his inaugural 2019-20 season in New Orleans, as well as his lone All-Star nod.

Ingram has struggled with injuries this campaign, and he's been out since Dec. 8 with a high-grade low left ankle sprain. In his 18 games of action, he's averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 46.5% shooting.

Before the Sacramento Kings fired head coach Mike Brown, they inquired about Ingram, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Trade speculation also surrounds former first overall pick Zion Williamson. An anonymous East executive told MacMahon and Marks they "would probably do something stupid" to acquire the Pelicans star.

However, Williamson's new agent, Bill Duffy, has no intention of pushing the Pelicans to deal his client before the deadline, sources told MacMahon and Marks.

The 24-year-old forward has struggled with injuries since joining the Association. He's missed significant time in every season of his career and didn't play at all in the 2021-22 campaign.

Williamson has missed 27 of 33 games this season due to a left hamstring strain. In his six games, he's averaged 22.7 points, eight rebounds, and 1.2 blocks on 45.2% shooting.