Chicago Bulls: 4 early 2020 free agent targets for Arturas Karnisovas
Scouting Report. Forward. RFA. Brandon Ingram. Pick Analysis. 2. player. 69
In a special inaugural season with the New Orleans Pelicans, the first-time NBA All-Star selection and former Duke Blue Devils 6-foot-7 forward Brandon Ingram broke through on the national level. Ingram got his first major accolade since being named to the 2016-17 All-Rookie Team. He did that in a difficult Western Conference field too.
Ingram is in the midst of the final year of his rookie contract. He’s surely proving himself to the Pelicans and what he means to their young core after coming over in that big-time trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. If the Pelicans buy into what he brings to the table over the long haul, then Ingram is likely to have his offer sheet locked in by his current team. But if they want to move on without him, then the Bulls should pounce.
Playing in 56 games so far this season, Ingram is averaging 24.3 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals, while shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 85.8 percent from the charity stripe. Ingram is in the process of registering a career-best 59.0 true shooting percentage, 2.4 box plus/minus rating, and .122 win shares per 48 minutes.
What the Bulls should be strategizing in terms of this Ingram situation for his impending restricted free agency is starting to win over his interests as soon as possible. The poor reputation that the Bulls likely had around the NBA can start to be put to bed with the reshaping of the front office. Karnisovas does have a few stars that he can target in this cycle of free agency.