Oftentimes, when a star gets traded somewhere else, they don’t necessarily have a chip on their shoulder or anything to prove to anyone, with the exception of their former teams (in some cases). The track record and resume they’ve built do all the talking. However, with Brandon Ingram, if the transaction from the Toronto Raptors to the LA Clippers successfully goes through, he will have to earn his place in the organization from the day he arrives.
Why? Well, not only is Ingram closing in on 30, which may not be what the Clippers want, but his contract doesn’t have much time left, with a player option next summer. This ultimately means he is fighting for a long-term extension that’ll keep his job and top-dollar salary secured for the foreseeable future.
In the event Ingram fails to show he’s worthy of holding on to beyond his current contract term, the front office has no reason to hesitate in trading him before it’s too late.
Brandon Ingram will have to have his foot on the gas from the moment he debuts
If the blockbuster trade that took place between the LA Clippers and Toronto Raptors over the summer does not get rescinded, Brandon Ingram will be entering head coach Tyronn Lue’s system as the first option on the offensive side of the ball.
His ultimate goal upon arrival: show his value on both sides of the ball to the point where it becomes a no-brainer that the front office should extend him.
To do so, Ingram will have to put together an All-Star campaign in the stacked Western Conference where he is scoring efficiently at all three levels, making plays for his teammates when possible, crashing the glass relentlessly, and going above and beyond what he’s asked to do on defense.
That’ll do the trick for the Clippers to be sold on his abilities. A way for Ingram to take it a step further is to lead LA to the playoffs, and even make a run, in a season where not much is expected of them.
Is it possible for the two-time All-Star? Most definitely. Ingram has the tools on and off the court, as well as the experience, to make it happen for the Clippers.
Conversely, Ingram must know that he doesn’t have much margin for error. Any wrong turn in his tenure as a Clipper could lead Lawrence Frank to deal him to another team.
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