Raptors see Ingram Trade as ‘incremental step’ in reconstruction, says GM Bobby Webster

It is not the type of trade building team that generally makes.

Still, Toronto Raptors (16-35) turned the manuscript on Thursday and sent New Orleans Pelicans EN 2026 first round pick from Indiana, their own 2031 second round pick and veterans Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk to Parde Free Agent Brandon Ingram.

For a raptor team that sits 13.

But general manager Bobby Webster said Friday that the move for Ingram is simply a checkpoint along the rebuilding path.

“It takes a lot of really good players to win in this league, so it’s just an incremental step along the way, unlike some big flag-in-sand-type features,” Webster said. “But listen, we’ve opened a lot of ability for our young guys to play.”

Webster added that the team has already been in conversation with Ingram’s agent about a contract extension.

“Brandon will be here. I think this was a intentional effort and decision from him, so we value it,” webster said.

Ingram joined his new team in Oklahoma City in front of a game Friday against Thunder. He told journalists after Friday’s practice that he is looking forward to a change of scenery after five-Plus years in New Orleans.

“Some new faces, some young talent around, and I’m excited to bring some positive energy,” he said.

Moving from a fought team to another didn’t seem to Faze Ingram.

“I know it’s a reconstruction (in Toronto), but it’s a chance for us to continue to get better and work on things to rebuild,” he said. “I’m glad to be part of it.”

The often wounded Ingram has appeared on only 18 games this season, an average of 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per year. Competition.

He has been out since the beginning of December with a left ankle sprain.

“I think we want to be able to make the most of him,” Webster said. “From a long distance, of course you never know for sure. We had the advantage of having (Golden State Warrior’s Assistant Jerry) Stackhouse here, which is close to him. So there are enough people around Brandon that you kind of are able to get A picture of his love for the basketball game.

Across 495 career games with Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers, Ingram has an average of 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

Selected 2. Total in 2016

Kinston, NC, natives were selected second out of Duke by Lakers in 2016 NBA draft. After three seasons in Los Angeles, he was treated for New Orleans as part of Lakers’ package for Star Forward Anthony Davis.

While winning the most improved Player Award after the 2019-20 season, Ingram’s time with Pelicans was mostly destroyed by injury and team underprestiated.

Webster dismissed Ingram’s time with the pelicans as an impulse. He said that Ingram’s place next to Franchise Linchpin Scottie Barnes is a “natural fit.”

“Scottie will share ball, Brandon will score the ball

Webster was also Bullish on Ingram’s fit with RJ Barrett, another goal scorer who typically likes to operate in the middle class.

“The distance that (ingram) gives its ability to shoot the ball, whether from three or from midrange, I think opening things up for both RJ’s cut, RJ’s ability to finish around the edge and then Scottie’s natural passing ability, “Said Webster.

“But at the same time, I think we need a lot of good players and we need a lot of good difference producers. And then this just adds that group.”

Raptors also treated the Point Guard Davion Mitchell to Miami Heat in exchange for PJ Tucker-AS has had two previous stints with the team-a 2026 second round (via Los Angeles Lakers) and cash considerations.

In their third and final deal on Deadline Day, Toronto James Wiseman and cash considerations from Indiana Pacers acquired. Wiseman was immediately waived.

With Olynyk, Brown and Mitchell now out of the picture, Webster said there would be more playing time for the team’s five rookies, Sophomore Gradey Dick and third -year pro Ochai Agbaji during the last 31 games of the season.

Raptors remain 5.5 games at the back of the 10th seed, which is the last place in the play-in tournament.

Toronto’s record is the fifth worst in the NBA as it returns to court on Friday for a game in Oklahoma City against Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the western leading thunder. Ingram does not play as he continues to recover from his ankle sprain.

As things currently stand, Toronto has a 42.1 per. Cent chance to get a top-four choice in NBA drafts of lottery and a 10.5 percent chance of choosing first together.

The Ingram trade on paper is similar to the type of movement that can adversely affect these odds.

But Webster said Raptors have identified the 2025 -draft class as “particularly strong.”

“It’s Mission # 1 Now let’s go out and travel around the world and find out which of these guys (to draft). Taking me a little back to the tampa year when you start identifying scottie around this Time, “Webster said.

“And obviously, the lottery balls and the gods of the lottery will decide where we end up, but it is our job to find the players.”