Brandon Ingram just completed his first full season with the Toronto Raptors, and while it was largely a success, questions about his future with the team have already begun to surface.
He was not only healthy but also very productive throughout the regular season, serving as one of the key pieces that helped lead the Raptors back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021-22. The issue, however, was that the negatives to his game re-emerged in the postseason, as Ingram struggled mightily before missing a majority of the three most important games of the year with heel inflammation.
While Toronto gave a good Cleveland Cavaliers team all they could handle, the loss showed they may still lack the upside to compete for a championship. Because of that, Sportsnet insider Michael Grange wonders if the Raptors could use a player like Ingram in a package to acquire an upgrade that gets them closer to contention.
“The same would be true to a lesser degree with Quickley (four years and $130 million remaining) and Ingram (two years and $82 million), each of whom had positive regular seasons but were either injured (Quickley) or ineffective and injured (Ingram) in the playoffs. Quickley was in the trade market at the deadline and given how well the Raptors played even while Ingram struggled against the Cavs before missing most of Game 5 and all of Games 6 and 7 with heel inflammation, maybe they would consider using Ingram’s contract if they could somehow find an upgrade — which is no guarantee given he led the Raptors in scoring this past season,”
The 28-year-old Ingram has two years remaining on the three-year, $140 million extension he signed with the Raptors upon being acquired last February, which includes a player option after the 2026–27 campaign. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 77 games in the 2025–26 regular season.
It may seem early for the Raptors to consider trading Ingram, their best pure scorer and top offensive threat. However, if they are going to become legitimate contenders with Scottie Barnes, they will likely need to pair him with another bona fide star.
The only way to do that is by moving significant salary, players of value, and draft capital. Ingram—Immanuel Quickley or even RJ Barrett—could be the type of assets used to make such a move.
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