The Toronto Raptors traded for Brandon Ingram on Feb. 5, but he still hasn't played for them. In fact, the former Most Improved Player has been out for over three months with a sprained ankle.
The Raptors (23-43) acquired Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 first-round pick (via the Indiana Pacers), and a 2031 second-rounder. Toronto then signed the 27-year-old to a three-year, $120 million contract extension on Feb. 12.
With the Raptors out of contention, there's no need to rush Ingram back. However, there's a fine line between being cautious and outright tanking.
Brian Windhorst suggested that Toronto is doing the latter, via ESPN's The Hoop Collective.
"Brandon Ingram has the worst sprained ankle in the history of sprained ankles," he said. "He hasn't played in months."
Brian Windhorst calls out the Raptors for tanking:
"Brandon Ingram has the worst sprained ankle in the history of sprained ankles. He hasn't played in months."
(via The Hoop Collective, @ESPNNBA) pic.twitter.com/ygcdI7gdg8
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 14, 2025
This comes on the heels of the NBA fining the Utah Jazz $100,00 on Wednesday for repeatedly sitting Lauri Markkanen. It's also investigating the Philadelphia 76ers for potential improper absences, via ESPN's Shams Charania.
The NBA draft lottery was created to discourage tanking, but teams raise suspicions when they sit their best players an unusual amount. The worst organizations still get the highest odds to land the best picks, even though the order is randomized.
Ingram will undoubtedly be a centerpiece of the Raptors' rotation whenever he does return, as he averaged 22.2 points on 46.5 percent shooting with 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists before getting injured during the Pelicans' 119-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 7.
Meanwhile, Toronto will continue to roll out RJ Barrett (21.6 PPG), Scottie Barnes (19.6 PPG), and Immanuel Quickley (17.2 PPG) as its main trio offensively.
Related: Raptors Make RJ Barrett Announcement After One Missed Game
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This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 9:48 PM.