The ongoing saga surrounding recently acquired Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram is starting to raise some eyebrows.
Ingram was acquired by the Raptors in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans on deadline day in a move that saw Bruce Brown, Jr., Kelly Olynyk, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick head the other way.
This move generated plenty of excitement amongst Raptors fans, as Ingram, who played in the 2020 All-Star Game, has plenty of talent. That excitement only built when it was announced the Raps had signed him to a three-year, $120 million extension.
Despite all the hype, Ingram has yet to play for the Raptors due to a sprained ankle.
The injury occurred in early December and the 27-year-old has yet to return to the court. Given the fact that the Raptors sit 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 23-43 record, continuing to sit Ingram out has some, including ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, questioning the intentions of the front office.
“Brandon Ingram has the worst sprained ankle in the history of sprained ankles. He hasn’t played in months,” Windhorst said on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast.
ESPN Brian Windhorst on Raptors tanking:
“Brandon Ingram has the worst sprained ankle in the history of sprained ankles. He hasn’t played in months.”
They are on to us 😅
[https://t.co/90NqfhX3xk pic.twitter.com/BmQ8XMYFS9
— Hassan O (@YourBoyH2O) March 14, 2025
The Raptors have 14 games remaining this season, and are just one win ahead of both the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference.
They are still very much in a rebuilding stage, meaning that a higher pick in the upcoming draft would be very beneficial for them. For that reason, you can understand why the Raptors may be willing to sit Ingram and give him plenty of rest.
On the other hand, you would think that if he were fully healthy, Raptors management and coaching staff would like to see how he gels with his new teammates, even if the games don’t matter a whole lot.
Either way, there are definitely some that think this entire situation has gotten quite suspicious.
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
