“Raptors forward Brandon Ingram has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Warriors guard Stephen Curry on USA Stripes for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. Ingram is an All-Star for the second time. Curry is out with a knee injury,” the NBA stated in an official press release.

Following Curry’s injury withdrawal, Mitch Johnson’s roster now looks lke this: Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Brandon Ingram (Toronto Raptors), Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets), LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Norman Powell (Miami Heat).

The inclusion of Ingram rewards the Raptors for their strong first half of the season. This marks Ingram’s second career All-Star selection, his first since 2020, highlighting his resurgence as one of the premier scorers in the Eastern Conference.

The other rosters

USA Stars

The USA Stars represent the best of the league’s young American core. Managed by J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons, this squad feature a high-energy lineup:

• Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
• Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
• Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
• Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)
• Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
• Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
• Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)

Team World

Team World bring an imposing international presence to the Intuit Dome. Coached by Darko Rajakovic of the Toronto Raptors, the squad have undergone a late change as Alperen Sengun replaces the injured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:

• Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
• Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
• Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
• Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets) — Injury Replacement
• Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers)
• Karl–Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)
• Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) —Doubtful

Who is in the 3-point contest?

The NBA has officially announced the eight-player field for the 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest, which will headline All-Star Saturday Night on February 14 at the Intuit Dome. The most surprising addition to the roster is Damian Lillard, who has not played a single minute for the Portland Trail Blazers this season while recovering from a torn Achilles.

The full list of participants for the 2026 3-Point Contest includes:

• Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
• Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets)
• Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
• Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
• Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
• Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks)
• Norman Powell (Miami Heat)

Brandon Ingram, the Toronto Raptors star, whose new extension takes effect in the 2025-2026 season, not only dazzles on the court with his skill and precision but has also amassed an impressive fortune.

Since his early days in the league, after being selected in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, the talented forward has shown consistent growth and an unparalleled ability to secure multimillion-dollar contracts.

But how has he managed to build such a fortune in such a short time? Beyond his league salaries, he has successfully diversified his income through lucrative endorsement deals and savvy investments.

What is Brandon Ingram’s net worth?

Brandon Ingram has built a great fortune throughout his NBA career, with a net worth estimated at $12 million as of February 2025. His wealth comes primarily from his lucrative contracts in the league, endorsements, and other investments.

He began his professional career when he was selected in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, his talent and consistency on the court have led him to secure multimillion-dollar contracts.

In 2020, he signed a five-year, $158.3 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, marking a key point in his financial growth. More recently, in 2025, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors.

With his new team, he agreed to a three-year, $120 million contract extension, reinforcing his status as one of the highest-paid stars in the league. He is currently, without a doubt, one of the most prosperous of his generation.

In addition to his salary and endorsements, he has diversified his financial portfolio with investments in real estate and other sectors, ensuring a stable financial future even after his retirement from professional basketball.

What is Brandon Ingram’s salary?

Throughout his career, Brandon Ingram has earned over $181 million in salaries alone, not including his additional income from endorsements. For the 2024-2025 NBA season, he is earning a base salary of $36 million, according to Spotrac.

Following his trade to the Toronto Raptors in February 2025, he agreed to a $120 million contract extension, which includes a player option for the 2027-2028 season, guaranteeing him an average annual salary of $40 million.

Brandon Ingram’s career earnings over the years

New Orleans Pelicans

• 2024-25 | $36 million
• 2023-24 | $33.8 million
• 2022-23 | $31.7 million
• 2021-22 | $29.5 million
• 2020-21 | $27.3 million
• 2019 | $6.8 million

Los Angeles Lakers

• 2018-19 | $5.8 million
• 2017-18 | $5.5 million
• 2016-17 | $5.3 million

Brandon Ingram’s endorsements

Brandon Ingram has significantly increased his financial portfolio through strategic endorsement deals. In 2016, he signed a contract with Adidas Basketball, marking the beginning of his ventures off the court.

In 2017, he collaborated with street artist Jonas Never for Delta’s “Beyond the Court” campaign, showcasing his interest in art beyond basketball. In 2023, he signed an endorsement deal with the popular Jordan brand.

Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg, who’s expected to be the first-overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, looked like a big-enough prize to make things give up on contending for a whole year.

That’s why Toronto Raptors analyst Christopher Kline couldn’t fathom why the team would trade for Brandon Ingram. While he might help them win some games, it could cost them their future superstar.

Toronto Raptors trade themselves out of Cooper Flagg race

“As for the Raptors, this trade comes at an awkward moment. Toronto is 16-35 with its sights set, presumably, on Cooper Flagg,” Kline wrote. “It’s not often that a team so blatantly engaged in a rebuild trades for an All-Star in his prime. Ingram should have a long window next to Scottie Barnes. He’s 27, with an appealingly modern skill set. But, it’s strange timing. The Raptors are stuck with a cumbersome cap sheet and not much top-end talent. Ingram makes them better for now, but it’s up for debate how much he moves the needle.”

The Raptors are now entering dangerous territory. You never want to be stuck in the middle in pro sports, as they won’t be bad enough to get a top draft pick, nor good enough to be a legitimate contender.

Then again, anything can happen, and we’ve seen teams win the NBA Draft lottery despite not having odds on their side. Still, Raptors fans might not be thrilled with this move.

In their most recent outing, the Pelicans fell short against the Oklahoma City Thunder, losing by 10 points. In the first half, New Orleans found themselves trailing by more than 28 points. Although they mounted a strong comeback in the second half, their efforts were ultimately insufficient, compounded by a lackluster performance from Ingram.

Ingram, who played just 19 minutes, managed only 5 points due to injury concerns. His struggles were further underscored by an announcement from ESPN’s Shams Charania, who reported that Ingram has suffered a significant left ankle sprain.

According to Charania’s update on X, “New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram has suffered a significant low left ankle sprain and is sidelined indefinitely, sources tell ESPN. Another significant injury blow to the Pelicans’ season.”

In addition to Ingram, the Pelicans will also be without Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Hawkins for the foreseeable future, further hindering their chances in upcoming games.

Ingram’s absence and Reeves’ recall to the Pelicans

With a growing list of injuries, Pelicans head coach Willie Green faced the challenging task of shoring up his roster for the ongoing NBA regular season. Today, the team announced the recall of Antonio Reeves from the G League to help fill the void left by the recent injuries.

Reeves, who has been performing well in the G League, could be a key asset for Green, offering much-needed depth as the team navigates through a tough stretch. In his two appearances with the squad, Reeves has averaged 25.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 39.6 minutes per game.

What’s next for the Pelicans?

The Pelicans will now turn their focus to the upcoming challenges, beginning with a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. The absence of several key players will undoubtedly test the team’s depth and adaptability, but Coach Green will look to capitalize on the contributions of players like Reeves. Following the Spurs game, the Pelicans will face another tough opponent in the Sacramento Kings, currently sitting at a 5-19 record in the Western Conference.

Upcoming schedule:

• vs. San Antonio Spurs – December 8 – NBA Regular Season
• vs. Sacramento Kings – December 12 – NBA Regular Season
• vs. Indiana Pacers – December 15 – NBA Regular Season
• vs. Houston Rockets – December 19 – NBA Regular Season
• vs. New York Knicks – December 21 – NBA Regular Season

Ingram is set to become a free agent next season, and according to Shams Charania, his future is coming into sharper focus: “His future is now coming into greater focus in the coming weeks… Ingram has changed agencies to Klutch Sports. We’ll know more in the lead-up to the NBA trade deadline in February. Extension talks are expected to happen in January. But right now, I’m told Ingram wants to be part of a winning, competitive environment.“

After six NBA seasons with the Pelicans, Ingram finds himself at a crossroads. Despite his individual high performance, the team has underachieved with disappointment. Now, with just one year remaining on his contract—worth $36 million—Ingram is reportedly prioritizing a championship-contending project over financial gain.

If Ingram were to leave, it would have a significant impact on the Pelicans, particularly on Zion Williamson. The loss of Ingram, a reliable co-star who has often taken the lead during Williamson’s absences, would create a sizable void in the team’s offensive and defensive structure.

Offensively, Ingram remains one of the most versatile players in the NBA. His scoring ability from all areas of the court is his defining strength, with an efficient shooting touch from mid-range and beyond the arc. This season, he’s hitting over 38% from three, showing notable improvement in his long-range shooting. Moreover, his playmaking has evolved, with Ingram becoming more involved in facilitating for teammates, showcasing growth in his ability to create opportunities.

Brandon Ingram’s versatility is key for the Pelicans

Brandon Ingram’s impact on the New Orleans Pelicans goes well beyond his scoring ability. His offensive versatility makes him an integral part of the team’s game plan, as he’s capable of creating his own shot and facilitating for his teammates. While he’s not primarily known for his defense, Ingram’s ability to play multiple positions adds value on that end as well. His presence on the floor often draws the attention of opposing defenses, creating space for his teammates to operate. Moreover, Ingram’s growth as a playmaker has elevated him to one of the Pelicans’ most vital players on both ends of the court.

Brandon Ingram’s influence in transition is largely attributed to his physical strength. In this phase of the game, his combination of speed and ball-handling is critical to the team’s offensive success. Ingram adds a unique pace and dynamism to the lineup, giving his team an edge in fast-break situations.

Additionally, his defensive abilities have improved significantly over the years, as has his basketball IQ. This evolution has made him versatile, enabling him to excel in multiple positions on the court. As one of the team’s standout players over the past six years, Ingram has also developed into a strong leader, demonstrating his growth both on and off the floor.

The 34-year-old’s future looks a bit unclear as he’s reportedly seeking a max contract extension while the Los Angeles Clippers continue to fail to go the distance in the postseason.

However, since George is still an extremely valuable asset for the LA organization, the Sixers are reportedly considering alternatives to the 9x NBA All-Star. According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, one of those names is Brandon Ingram:

“Aside from the pipe dream that Kevin Durant or Jimmy Butler would ask to be dealt directly to Philly, sources familiar with the Sixers’ thinking say that Brandon Ingram is the primary fallback plan.”

Ingram’s future with the New Orleans Pelicans also looks up in the air as his name is being the subject of multiple trade rumors, with the 26-year-old also being linked with the Chicago Bulls. Either way, what seems clear is that the Sixers are not satisfied and will be looking to improve for the 2024-25 season.

Sixers looking for the right star next to Embiid to leave behind playoff struggles

The 76ers have constantly been on the conversation when discussing the title contenders in the last few seasons, as they always seemed to have, on paper, everything to make a deep playoff run.

However, the team left a lot to be desired year after year, as it hasn’t made the Conference Finals since 2001, when it lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

After three years of consecutive eliminations in the Conference Semifinals, the Sixers’ title hopes ended sooner this time, losing to the New York Knicks in the First Round.

With Ben Simmons failing to step up in 2021, the Sixers went all in for James Harden in 2022 hoping to help Embiid, but it didn’t work. Now the franchise has to look for another star to surround Joel, hoping to get it right this time.

Then again, just like what happens with multiple players, he just couldn’t break out in Southern California. His team wasn’t very good, he wasn’t well-coached, and he may not have been mentally strong enough at that point in his career.

Ingram took a huge leap when he was sent to the New Orleans Pelicans. He blossomed into an efficient three-level scorer and a good defender, finally living up to his potential.

Lakers Could Pursue Brandon Ingram

So, now that he’s nearing the end of his contract in New Orleans, an unnamed executive believes Rob Pelinka could look to lure him back to Hollywood and trade for him:

“It’s an idea, if they’re willing to take the chance [to go after Ingram],” the executive told Heavy Sports. “Brandon as a third option with LeBron and Anthony Davis, it certainly makes them better, it gets them back to being a contender, or at least in that orbit.”

It’s A High-Risk/High-Reward Trade

However, as great a player as he is, he does come with some risks. Besides being injury-prone, he’s also eligible for an extension, so they would have to make the numbers work:

“Anyone who trades for Ingram, you’re not going to have to give up a full star package because he gets hurt a lot and because you’ve got to pay him,” the executive told Heavy. “That’s why I think the Lakers are on the list, where he might wind up. Because he’s going to have to go somewhere where they can pay him.”

The Lakers need to get a third star, and while they will likely pursue Donovan Mitchell or Trae Young, they might not have enoguh assets to get them, and that’s when Ingram might come in handily for them.

However, the former Los Angeles Lakers forward has looked out of sorts since they started their scrimmages. His shot isn’t falling, and he hasn’t done a lot to help his team.

That’s why Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had to address the situation, but he was still confident in his teammate’s ability to get over the hump sooner rather than later.

Team USA Needs Brandon Ingram, Says Anthony Edwards

“He gets paid the big bucks; like, he’s one of the best players in the NBA,” Edwards said per Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “He’s a superstar in the league, so he can figure it out on his own, but it’s nothing like somebody staying your ear.”

“They stay in my ear. So, just keep talking to him, ’cause you know, a couple shots might not go his way,” he added. “He might get a couple turnovers and get down. I mean, I get down sometimes because I turn it over or miss a couple shots.”

Not all NBA players are suited for FIBA basketball, and he wouldn’t be the first to find that out the hard way. Even so, he’s good enough to turn things around; he just needs a couple of lucky bounces to go his way.

There have been countless rumors about Zion Williamson not being comfortable in the Big Easy, and some believe he could be the next big name to leave the team.

However, that won’t be the case with Brandon Ingram. In a recent interview with The Athletic, the former Los Angeles Lakers forward had nothing but love for the team and the community.

Brandon Ingram Wants To Stay In New Orleans

“For me, I love New Orleans. It’s perfect for me and the way I want to operate. Less distractions,” Ingram said. “I can go play basketball whenever I want to. I’ve got direct access to the facility. I’ve got people close to me who can come to the gym and help me at any time. I feel connected with New Orleans and the people around me.”

(…)

“I know my payday is coming around, so I don’t think too much of it. I’m just making sure I carry myself the right way. I’m sticking with what I know: If I stay in the gym, good things will come,” he added.

Of course, we’ve seen and heard this way too many times in the past, so there’s always a chance that he will change his mind if the Pelicans don’t straighten the ship soon.

And as many athletes have said before, when an athlete hits the 25-year-old landmark, most of the expertssay he could be in his best time from the physical standpoint. Therefore, many NBA young stars are reaching that age in which their body gives in to the best.

This is a 10-man list of NBA players who had decent performances last season, and achieved many personal goals. But, they haven’t got the extra chip on their side to clinch an NBA Championship Ring or get as close as possible. However, this 2022-23 NBA Season, could be their closest opportunity.

Western Conference25 years-oldand younger players to shine in the 2022-23 NBA Season

1. Ja Morant

Last season for Ja Morant was full of achievements. He won the Most Improved Player award, and he was selected to the All-Star game for the first time. Also, Morant averaged 27points, 6assists and 5rebounds in 57 games. So, it is safe to assume he could improve so much for the upcoming season.

2. Devin Booker

Despite his astonishing performance, Devin Booker lashed out at the end when the Phoenix Suns fell short to the Dallas Mavericks. However, Booker averaged27points, 5rebounds and 5assists in 68 games in 2021-22 season. Therefore, the 25-year-old has the skills necessary to carry his team to another NBA Finals series in the next season.

3. Luka Doncic

For Luka Doncic last season was full of challenges. He had to battle against a recurring injury through the season, but was able to be selected for his third All-Star game. Also, he finally made it to the Western Conference finals, but fell short to the NBA Champions.The 23-year-oldaveraged28points, 9rebounds and 8assists in 65 games. So, next season could be a breakthrough for him as he already was working on his physique during the off-season.

4. Brandon Ingram

The New Orleans Pelicans were a nice surprise in the last season’s NBA Playoffs. However, the unexperienced team struggled and fell short to the Phoenix Suns.Brandon Ingram’s perfomance was huge.He averaged23points, 6rebounds and 5assists in 55 games in the 2021-22 season. So, the 24-year-old player could carry his team to another NBA Playoffs surprise next season.

5. DeAndre Ayton

The 24-year-old player signed a max-deal with the Phoenix Suns to be one of the highest paid players in the NBA next season. Therefore, he needs to prove his value to the fans. He has to carry his team towards an NBA Finals series, at least. Ayton averaged17points and10reboundsin 58 games in 2021-22 NBA Season.

Eastern Conference25 years-old and younger players to shine in the 2022-23 NBA Season

1. Trae Young

Despite Trae Young made it for a second time to the All-Star game, the Atlanta Hawks were nowhere near to perform as they were expected to. Therefore, the 23-year-old guard needs to manage better his skills towards a better performance. Last season, Young averaged28points, 10assists and 3rebounds in 76 games, so, the next season could have incredible numbers if he can work well with his team.

2. LaMelo Ball

Last season was a breakthrough for one of the Ball brothers. In fact, LaMelo Ball averaged 20points, 7assists and 6rebounds in 75 games to be selected for his first-ever All-Star game. So, as a 20-year-old he has got all time to improve and help his team the Charlotte Hornets to make it at least to the NBA Playoffs next season.

3. Jaylen Brown

The 25-year-old had one of the best performances last season. Brown played his first NBA Finalswith the Boston Celtics, as one of the key players in the series. In fact, he averaged23points, 6rebounds and 3assists in 66 games. So, this next season could be an MVP-contender one for him.

4. Jayson Tatum

Brown’s partner in crime, but no less important. Tatum had clutch performances in the 2022NBA Playoffs to carry the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals. However, the unexperienced 24-year-old couldn’t managed it. Also, heaveraged 27points, 8rebounds and 4assists in 76 games. So the next season could be a championship-worthy for him.

5. Bam Adebayo

Bam Adebayo could have been the reason the Miami Heatplayed the Eastern Conference finals. However, the 25-year-old needs to improve his offensive skills to be a more complete player. Last season he averaged 19points, 10rebounds and 3assists in 56 games. So, next season could be his prime season as the Heat need his best performance.

But if you follow the NBA, you must know that he wasn’t always like that. In fact, some people called him a bust when he was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, as his confidence was off and he just couldn’t take that leap forward.

And now that Ingram is playing for a different franchise and can finally open up on what truly happened during his time with the purple-and-gold, he had quite a telling interview for JJ Redick’s podcast ‘The Old Man and the Three’.

Brandon Ingram Says The Anthony Davis Trade Saga ‘Killed’ The Lakers’ Young Core

Ingram started by revealing how difficult it was for the Lakers’ young core to deal with the never-ending Anthony Davis trade saga and rumors involving them, claiming that it pretty much ‘killed them’:

“I know other guys around me, it killed them every day. When you wake up and you see your name on Twitter, and the guys around me, they love Twitter. They love searching, putting in their names,” Ingram said.

The Lakers traded away Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram to the Pelicans and were pretty close to dealing Kyle Kuzma as well. At the end of the day, it worked out pretty well for everybody involved, as they went on to win the ring and their youngsters flourished under less pressure.

Brandon Ingram Admits He Felt Uncomfortable With The Lakers

Playing for the Lakers is something not every guy can handle, especially at such a young age and with that many expectations around you, and Ingram had to learn that the hard way, according to his own words:

“I definitely felt very uncomfortable. It was different. I didn’t know what I was stepping into actually. It was kind of like the world came when you were going to the Lakers. My social media started blowing up. I was into social media, but then I had to step into reality,” Ingram confessed.

“I go into my first game, everybody knows who I am around L.A. It was just totally different. It’s different when it’s Laker love. You know you can get soaked up into the game of basketball or you can get soaked up into everything else that is around it in Los Angeles. It was important for me to just focus on basketball,” he concluded.

It’s not often that you see a trade that works out perfectly for everybody involved but this time that seems to be the case. Now, Ingram will look to continue his development as one of the league’s rising stars.