Chicago Bulls: 3 reasons to give Brandon Ingram a max contract

The number of reasons why the Chicago Bulls should give a young and budding star small forward like Brandon Ingram a max this summer are mounting quickly.

An interesting recent development is the rumor that most NBA executives don’t believe that the former Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (now with the New Orleans Pelicans) is worth a max contract when he hits the restricted free agency market. A max contract could happen, but maybe not as easy as a lot of NBA fans would think. A team like the Chicago Bulls could be one to try and pursue Ingram if returning to the Pelicans isn’t a given this summer.

That report from Tim Bontempts of ESPN that came out last week showed that the market for Ingram could be more volatile than originally anticipated. Since the free agent market will be rather dry this summer, Ingram could get more money that he would’ve during the more fruitful 2019 and 2021 cycles.

Here’s what that piece from ESPN had to say on the matter of Ingram’s restricted free agency this coming offseason.

"“I wonder if [Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin] will hardball [Ingram] and say, ‘Get an offer,'” one executive asked. “Where is he getting it from?” Another exec went the other way, suggesting Griffin could offer Ingram a full max to ensure he couldn’t take a short-term deal elsewhere, cementing him as the No. 2 option alongside Zion Williamson. “Securing the extra year and not allowing him to sign a two-plus-one with someone is worth it,” the executive said. “Is the few million less you might save really worth the extra year?”"

Ingram was a first-time NBA All-Star selection this season, and deservedly so. That is added to a list of limited accolades for him thus far which also includes 2016-17 All-Rookie Team honors and Player of the Week back on Dec. 30, 2019.

Here’s a look into the three reasons why the Chicago Bulls should hand a max contract offer to Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram when he hits restricted free agency this offseason.