The Atlanta Hawks pursued a trade for Brandon Ingram at the deadline before he was traded by the New Orleans Pelicans to the Toronto Raptors. The Hawks would have sent Clint Capela back to the Pelicans in exchange for Ingram. While the Raptors signed Ingram to a three-year, $120 million extension shortly after their trade for him, the Hawks were planning on waiting on an extension.
The Hawks traded De’Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the deadline and viewed Ingram as a potential replacement, but not necessarily his definitive replacement. The Hawks thought Ingram on an expiring contract gave them some level of optionality.
The Raptors were also interested in Hunter, who was also being discussed in scenarios with the Pelicans.