Latest news with #BrandonIngram
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brandon Ingram Makes Unexpected Promise Before First Raptors Season
Brandon Ingram Makes Unexpected Promise Before First Raptors Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. This past February, the Toronto Raptors landed Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of the trade deadline. Furthermore, the one-time NBA All-Star signed a three-year, $120 million contract extension, even though he has yet to suit up for the team. Advertisement Ingram suffered an ankle injury back in December while playing for the Pelicans. He did not play in another game the rest of the season. Even so, he is an intriguing addition to Toronto, and it will be exciting to see how well he meshes with their young core. Recently, Ingram spoke about his expectations for his first season with the Raptors and made a shocking promise in doing so. Former New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14)© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Though there is a lot to like about the Raptors' roster and their future outlook, the team has not had a lot of success recently. Last season, they finished with a 30-52 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in the past five years. However, despite this, Ingram recently made a promise that they will end the drought next season and will "for sure" make the playoffs. Advertisement 'We're making the playoffs for sure," Ingram said to TSN's John Lewenberg. Though the Raptors have not been a playoff team for quite some time, they may be able to turn it around next year. The Eastern Conference, which was already widely considered the weaker one in the league, is now wide-open following Achilles injuries to Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, and Damian Lillard, who are all expected to miss the entirety of next season. A deep run is unlikely, but the Raptors may have what it takes to solidify themselves as a playoff team again next year, which would turn Ingram's bold comments to fruition. Advertisement Related: Raptors Coach Announces Brandon Ingram Injury Update Related: Warriors Among Teams Interested in Former Raptors Champion: Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Brandon Ingram is eager to remind league of his skills: ‘We're making the playoffs'
LAS VEGAS — Jakob Poeltl's second Toronto Raptors tenure has been demonstrably more complicated than his first. When Poeltl started with the Raptors as a lottery pick, the team asked him to develop alongside a group of young players to support its winning core, led by DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. After two seasons, he was traded in 2018. When he came back in February 2023, he was meant to be the glue that held together the Raptors' core, many of whom came from that group Poeltl was part of as a young player. Those hopes lasted for only as long as Fred VanVleet remained in Toronto. Within a year of Poeltl's return after his five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, he was the lone mid-career starter on a rebuilding team. Advertisement A year after that, seemingly out of nowhere, the Raptors added a peer for Poeltl: Brandon Ingram. Maybe Poeltl, who could have become a free agent after 2025-26, wasn't such an outlier on this roster after all. 'Obviously, looking for a contract extension. The fact the front office is going out there and really trying to make moves to make us good right now is a good sign for me,' Poeltl said Saturday, speaking publicly for the first time since agreeing to an extension earlier this month. 'I want to compete as soon as possible.' It is a little much to say Poeltl wouldn't have signed a deal that could take him through 2029-30, his age-34 season, if not for the Ingram trade. It is a good deal for him, and he loves being a Raptor. But Poeltl also hasn't played a playoff game since 2018-19. He has played 382 regular-season games over six seasons since then. He desperately wants to get back there. With Ingram in Toronto, Poeltl has a like-minded teammate. 'We're making the playoffs, for sure,' Ingram said Saturday. Ingram, whom the Raptors traded for in February and signed to a three-year, $120 million extension shortly after, will be a huge part of that attempt. In a big step in that journey, Ingram can now play with his teammates for the first time since the trade. He sprained his ankle in December, an injury that surprisingly ended his season. He was finally cleared to play five-on-five basketball late this past week. Ingram was taken aback by the injury's persistence. He said most of his previous ankle injuries kept him out for a few weeks, maximum, but this one kept resulting in swelling as he tried to ramp up his activity. The Raptors, playing for extra lottery combinations as much as anything else, had no reason to push Ingram toward playing after the trade, but they still ordered him to get platelet-rich plasma injections late in the season to improve his healing. It was concerning. Advertisement 'Sometimes I didn't know when I was going to be healthy,' Ingram said of his recovery. With the players going their separate ways after the season, there was no chance for Ingram to play with nine of his peers until he rejoined the Raptors in Las Vegas. Some members of the Raptors medical staff monitored his rehab, but this has been the first chance for him to play with his teammates more holistically. Before, Ingram was taking set shots and having discussions with head coach Darko Rajaković and his assistants to get familiar with the Raptors' style. Other than that, he couldn't do much. '(I missed) the camaraderie with the team, the competitiveness going against other players, just continuing to learn (on the floor). … This ankle injury, I haven't been able to have any physical contact, do nothing on the basketball floor. But just hearing how Darko spoke, seeing how his assistants move, to be on the floor, doing the things they have asked me to do, it's been good.' There is justifiable uncertainty and skepticism about how the Raptors will look with Ingram. Ingram's shot-making in the half court is badly needed, a key complement to Scottie Barnes' more pass-oriented game. However, Barnes, Ingram and RJ Barrett, while different players, take up similar spots on the floor. Assuming the Raptors start their five highest-paid players, Immanuel Quickley will be the only high-volume 3-point shooter on the floor. Ingram and Barrett are capable shooters but aren't necessarily known for running off screens away from the ball to hunt 3s. Poeltl is a non-shooter at centre, so finding ways to create spacing will be essential. The three wings will have to develop in their own ways to make things work offensively — Barnes as a shooter, Ingram as a processor and quick decision-maker, and Barrett as a cutter away from the main action. All of the Raptors' veterans have been participating in workouts together as the summer league team competes in Vegas. Advertisement Defensively, Barrett and Ingram will have to level up to make sure Barnes doesn't have to absorb every tough wing assignment. Ingram said he appreciated watching the Raptors play aggressively on defence as the season went on and knows he can't 'mess that up.' 'I know people know my game a little bit,' Ingram said. 'I think I'll get a chance to show a little bit more of being the focal point of the offence, that I can show my playmaking skills, moving without the basketball or scoring without the basketball. I'm gonna show them that I've been a 3-point shooter most of my life. Just all aspects of the game. I get to show just how much of a competitor I am.' After spending months as a glorified free-throw shooter, the opportunity will be welcome.
Hamilton Spectator
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Brandon Ingram has a prediction for the Raptors: ‘We're making the playoffs, for sure'
LAS VEGAS— Brandon Ingram made a loud statement in his whisper-like voice. 'We're making the playoffs, for sure,' the Raptors forward said Saturday, finally freed from an existence of ankle rehabilitation and free to play full-court, five-on-five basketball for the first time in more than half a year. The bold statement — the Raptors haven't been in the post-season since 2022 and are coming off two seasons with more than 50 losses — comes because of Ingram's health and the confidence he has in his talents, and from what he has seen since joining the team in a February trade . He sat and watched games as he endured months of treatment and individual workouts, unable to help his team in any tangible way. Now that he can? He's ready to remind everyone just how good he can be and what he can add to this Toronto mix. Poeltl backup has been a 35 per cent shooter from three-point range, and deep shooting from 'I know people know my game a little bit, I think I'll get a chance to show a little bit more of being the focal point of the offence, that I can show my playmaking skills, moving without the basketball,' he said. 'I'm going to show them that I've been a three-point shooter most of my life. Just all aspects of the game. I get to show just how much of a competitor I am.' Ingram was injured when Toronto acquired him at February's trade deadline for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk and a draft pick but he has never worn a Raptors uniform in a game. The rehab was longer than anyone expected; it took months, included platelet-rich plasma treatments and required patience. There was no way Toronto was going to rush the six-foot-nine 27-year-old back, and the chance to enhance the team's lottery odds and let young players get experience were important factors. They soothed any concerns about his long-term future in Toronto by signing him to a three-year, $120-million (U.S.) contract extension days after acquiring him and set up a detailed plan of care for his ankle. Still, it took a lot longer than Ingram envisioned. 'I never experienced that, especially from an ankle injury,' Ingram said. 'It always took about three weeks, two or three weeks … Sometimes I didn't know when I was going to be healthy. The Raptors, who need all the shooting they can get, fully guaranteed Battle's contract on 'I just continued to go through the process. I feel better each and every week. We've got good communication with the training staff, coaches and everybody else, they've helped me out a lot in this process.' Ingram is working out for a few days with the full roster of Raptors veterans in Las Vegas while the team's rookies and second-year players compete in the NBA Summer League, which continues with a Sunday afternoon game against the Orlando Magic. He was part of a large contingent courtside Friday when the kids clobbered the Chicago Bulls 116-72 in a game that showed the depth of unproven youth the Raptors have. And the way they played, with near-manic defence all around the court, was reminiscent of what Toronto did at times last season while establishing a baseline study of what the team wants to do this coming season. And as the new guy to the rotation, Ingram said he knows what standards he'll have to live up to. 'With what I saw in the second half of the season, they play hard,' he said. 'They play really, really hard, on the offensive and defensive end. 'On the offensive end, I always use the word swag. I saw that from the point guard, (Immanuel Quickley), I always tell him that, to play with swag. His attitude on the floor, knowing who we are on the basketball floor, finding an identity on the offensive end (will be important). 'They already found the identity on the defensive end. I can't come in and mess that up. I got to be playing as hard as they are.' There is no question that a healthy Ingram adds a key component to the Raptors roster. It will be up to coach Darko Rajakovic and his staff to figure out just how Ingram fits with the likes of Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett but the coach has had months to think about what schemes might work. Former Raptor joins actor Simu Liu for one-day festival showcasing Asian culture and creativity What it means now to Ingram is much simpler: He can play with no limits. 'My body feels good,' he said. 'I'm ready to continue to feel good. I don't feel rusty at all. I could be better-conditioned. But I'm in a good spot, especially for being out so long.'
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grading Jakob Poeltl's $104 million Raptors contract extension
The post Grading Jakob Poeltl's $104 million Raptors contract extension appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Toronto Raptors were much more competitive than their 50-win 2024-25 season would indicate. They would keep games close even against the best teams in the league, giving way to what some would call 'ethical tanking'. In the end, they were rewarded with promising prospect Collin Murray-Boyles for their troubles — adding another quality young player to the Raptors' growing core. Advertisement It appears as though the Raptors will be gunning for a playoff spot in the wide-open Eastern Conference in 2025, and their moves over the past year or so certainly suggest this inclination. They traded for Brandon Ingram in a buy-low move with the New Orleans Pelicans, and in the early goings of free agency, they agreed with Jakob Poeltl on a new contract that's set to pay him $104 million from the 2026-27 campaign until 2029-30, with Toronto tacking on three additional years worth around $84 million to keep Poeltl for the long haul. Considering the going rate for players of Poeltl's caliber, did the Raptors overpay? Did they even need to pony up the huge sum of money to keep Poeltl when he had a player option worth $19 million for the 2026-27 season anyway? Did the Raptors jump the gun with Jakob Poeltl extension? John Hefti-Imagn Images Make no mistake about it, Poeltl was quite impressive when he was active for the Raptors this past season. He put up career-best stats of 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest, and he may have averaged a double-double if he was allowed by the Raptors to actually play his usual number of minutes instead of being held out of games to fight for better lottery odds. Advertisement While Toronto was not a good team with or without Poeltl, the 29-year-old center definitely made the team better. The Raptors were over six points better whenever Poeltl was on the court, according to PBP Stats, and that net rating is nothing to scoff at. He is a defensive anchor, strong glass cleaner, and is fairly agile on the perimeter, which means he isn't completely lost when switched out to a perimeter player. Poeltl has also made plenty of strides as a playmaker, doing his job as a handoff machine to give the Raptors' ballhandlers space to work with. There's a reason why many contending teams have sought Poeltl's services from the Raptors ever since they acquired him from the San Antonio Spurs in 2023. The salary cap is rising fast, as it can increase up to a maximum of 10 percent from the previous year (this was what happened for this offseason). So by the time Poeltl's exorbitant extension kicks in, it will take up a less portion of the team's salary cap. Even then, the Raptors appear to have overpaid to keep him around; Poeltl will be 32 when he begins to make around $26 million a year, and in the final year of his contract (when he'll be 34), he'll be making around $30 million per year. The Raptors could argue that this is the going rate for players of Poeltl's caliber these days. Isaiah Hartenstein, notably, is set to make $28.5 million for this upcoming season, with a player option worth the same dollar amount for the 2026-27 campaign. Nicolas Claxton is making around $25 million this season, although his salary is front-loaded, which means that he'll be making progressively less in the final two years of his deal. Advertisement The $104 million the Raptors signed Poeltl for is a similar amount for what the Milwaukee Bucks ended up snagging Myles Turner away from the Indiana Pacers for ($107 million). Even Naz Reid signed for a similar amount of money per year ($25 million average annual value across five years). But unlike those players, Poeltl didn't even reach free agency. The Raptors ended up outbidding themselves when a similar amount of money could have gotten a deal done in 2026, when Poeltl could have reached free agency by declining his player option. Poeltl would've been perhaps the second-best or best center in the unrestricted free-agent market had he actually reached free agency in 2026. (Hartenstein could be a free agent as well, and it's a toss-up as to who's a better player between those two.) Even then, it's not like NBA teams are going to pay significantly more than what it required the Raptors to pony up to keep Poeltl, especially when he doesn't provide any floor-spacing utility and would, most likely, be deployed situationally anyway in the hypothetical universe where the Raptors make it deep into the playoffs. Advertisement This contract extension, while a fair amount to keep Poeltl around, wasn't quite necessary for the Raptors to offer yet. Perhaps they're looking to protect the asset, but there's a good chance they could be stuck with that contract for the next few years. Grade: C+ Related: Raptors, Jakob Poeltl agree on $104 million contract extension Related: Raptors make first NBA free agency move after Masai Ujiri firing
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Raptors, Jakob Poeltl agree on $104 million contract extension
The post Raptors, Jakob Poeltl agree on $104 million contract extension appeared first on ClutchPoints. Jakob Poeltl will remain with the Toronto Raptors for the foreseeable future. After making it clear that they were committed to their longtime center, the Raptors inked Poeltl to a massive four-year extension that keeps him on the team through the 2029-2030 season. Advertisement Poeltl's new four-year deal is worth $104 million, ESPN's Shams Charania reported. The deal includes his $19.45 million player option for the 2026-2027 season, with three years tacked on. The deal comes after reports suggested the Raptors were unwilling to deal Poeltl, despite receiving interest from the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers. Toronto was not even willing to give him up for a potential Kevin Durant deal, which ultimately ruled them out of consideration. The Raptors now have four players signed to long-term deals. Poeltl joins Scottie Barnes as the two players signed through the 2029-2030 season. Toronto has Immanuel Quickley inked through 2028-2029, with Brandon Ingram on the books through the 2027-2028 season. Barnes, Ingram and Quickley will all make over $30 million in 2025-2026. Advertisement While the Raptors' salary situation is extremely top-heavy, they will have 13 total players returning in 2025-2026. Backup center Chris Boucher is the only key rotational player who is currently a free agent. Raptors' Jakob Poeltl extension sets up future complications Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Despite missing the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, the Raptors continue to have one of the most expensive teams in the league. While their core remains locked in for the next three years, Poeltl's extension limits Toronto in the 2026 and 2027 offseasons. The Raptors have a handful of young players who will hit free agency in 2026, including Ochai Agbaji, A.J. Lawson and Colin Castleton. They would want to keep all three around, particularly Agbaji, but neither would be a significant loss. Advertisement However, Toronto figures to face its biggest challenge in the 2027 offseason, when R.J. Barrett and Gradey Dick's contracts expire. The Raptors picked up Dick's team option ahead of the 2024-2025 season, but he is in line for a much larger deal due to his steady progression. They would likely only be able to retain one of Barrett or Dick and might eventually be forced to trade one of their big contracts to make more room. Related: Raptors make first NBA free agency move after Masai Ujiri firing Related: Toronto Raptors 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pick
