The reported "expectation" is that New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, an impending free agent, will be open to a short-team deal next offseason.

Jake Fischer reported the news Friday for The Stein Line newsletter: "The current options are slim. So there's an expectation among league sources familiar with the situation that Ingram and his new agent representation at Klutch Sports will be open to pursuing a short-term payday starting next season."

The 27-year-old Ingram, who's in his ninth NBA season, is averaging 23.2 points on 46.8 percent shooting, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

Ingram's Pelicans days appear numbered.

First and foremost, the injury-ravaged Pels are 5-18, second-last in the Western Conference. It's conceivable at this point that New Orleans, as NBA teams typically do, just blows it up and starts anew. And Ingram may want to part ways as is. He reportedly hopes to look for a winning, competitive team at his next stop, as Charania reported.

Second, Ingram and the Pels had the chance for a long-term extension last offseason. That didn't happen, and the door is open for his exit.

"Brandon wants to stay here. ... At the same time, there is a financial reality that we all deal with," Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin said in June, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

Ingram is a talented player and an All-Star at his best. He's averaged 23.1 PPG for New Orleans since being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Anthony Davis deal in 2019.

He's now linked up with the powerful Rich Paul-led Klutch Sports Group, which represents superstars such as LeBron James, Davis and De'Aaron Fox.

Ingram will be getting paid handsomely, whether it's a short- or long-term deal. A shorter deal that eventually sees Ingram continue his success could very lead to a max contract in a few years too.

In the interim, Ingram is playing out the final year on his contract. He just returned after missing five games with a right calf injury, dropping 29 points in a 126-124 win over the Phoenix Suns.