The Sacramento Kings are reportedly in talks with the New Orleans Pelicans toward acquiring high-scoring forward Brandon Ingram. Ingram, who averaged 20.8 points per game and a 49.2 percent field goal percentage, just off his career high, won't be offered a full four-year maximum contract. The Pelicans were expected to seek a lower-cost extension or look into trading him, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Sacramento TV station KTXL noted Ingram's links to then-Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, who is the Kings' vice president of basketball engagement. In eight NBA seasons -- the first three with the Los Angeles Lakers before he joined New Orleans in a three-team trade that brought Anthony Davis to the Lakers -- Ingram is averaging 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 33 minutes per game. --One day after former Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook reportedly exercised his $4 million option to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers, the team is said to be exploring trade options for the nine-time All-Star point guard. The Athletic reported that Los Angeles is "actively working on trades to move Westbrook" and that he has interest in the Denver Nuggets, who were said to be interested in Westbrook had he gone to free agency. The 16-year veteran and two-time scoring champion averaged a career-low 11.1 points per game in just over 22 minutes, also a career low, last season. His most recent All-Star season came in 2019-20, which was his only season with the Houston Rockets after he spent his first 11 years with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since leaving the Rockets, he had stints with the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers before signing with the Clippers last summer. --Luke Kornet, the backup center for the NBA champion Boston Celtics, will stay in Boston on a one-year contract, according to ESPN. In just under 16 minutes per game, Kornet averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds while appearing in 63 games. --Guard Max Christie, who has played his first two NBA seasons for the Lakers, has agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal with a player option to remain in Los Angeles, ESPN reported. Christie, the 35th player drafted in 2022, appeared in 108 games overall, including 67 last season. He has averaged 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 13.5 minutes for his career. His 3-point shooting accuracy fell from 41.9 percent as a rookie to 35.6 percent in 2023-24. --Seven-foot center Omer Yurtseven will become a free agent upon his release by the Utah Jazz, multiple outlets reported. Undrafted out of Georgetown, Yurtseven has played three NBA seasons, two with the Miami Heat before signing with the Jazz last summer. In 48 games, including 12 starts, he averaged 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds, and shot 53.8 percent from the floor in 11.4 minutes per game. --Field Level Media
Apr 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) dribbles against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of game four of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports