The Clippers have been short-handed throughout preseason, but there’s hope that reinforcements could be getting closer. Brandon Ingram has started on-court work, though he is still not expected to be ready for the start of the season, Mark Medina writes (via Twitter).
Ingram came over to the Clippers as the centerpiece of the much-delayed Kawhi Leonard trade with the Raptors after spending a single season in Toronto. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while hitting 38.2% of his threes for the Raptors and playing 77 games, the second-highest mark of his career.
However, he suffered what was initially described as a right heel injury during the Raptors’ seven-game series against the Cavaliers and ended up missing the final 2.5 games, which the Raptors ultimately lost. It has since been revealed that the injury was, in fact, a partially torn Achilles, which was discovered when he underwent heel surgery.
Ingram has a $41.9MM player option for next summer and is considered a strong trade candidate should he be healthy and productive for the Clippers this season, as L.A. is likely to try to continue building up its young core and asset collection following the penalty of five first-round picks in the Leonard salary cap circumvention case.
Ingram is expected to be re-evaluated once the season begins.