The New Orleans Pelicans have expressed interest in trading for Jimmy Butler with a package centered around the $36 million expiring contract of Brandon Ingram, sources tell The Stein Line. Miami is motivated to make the playoffs this season and are intrigued by the possibility of acquiring Ingram.
The Pelicans are well beyond playoff range and also are determine to get under the luxury tax. The Pelicans are currently almost $1.5 million over the luxury tax line. Butler is making $48.8 million this season compared to Ingram’s $36 million, which means that the Pelicans would likely have to add multiple lower-salaried players to any transaction.
While the Phoenix Suns are Butler’s top choice, the Pelicans join the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies as teams with varying interest in him as well.
Butler holds a $52 million player option for next season. The Pelicans could try to negotiate an extension with him should he be traded there. New Orleans and Ingram were never able to get close to an extension in their talks.