Brandon Ingram Injury Update: Insider drops major report on Lakers rumored trade target's return date

New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram could be back in action soon. He's missed the last 21 games with an ankle injury he suffered in his last game against the OKC Thunder on Dec. 7. Ingram has been rehabbing with the team on their three-game road trip to Memphis, Charlotte and Toronto.

The former All-Star is already making on-court progress. Amid his recovery, insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson reported Ingram's return timeline during Saturday's matchup between the Pelicans and the Charlotte Hornets.

"Brandon Ingram is hoping to return to game action in the next 2-3 weeks, I'm told," Robinson tweeted. "Ingram has been on the road with the Pelicans and rehabbing. He got some shots up during some pregame today in his home state of North Carolina ahead of New Orleans' matchup against the Charlotte Hornets this evening."

Ingram played 19 games before his injury. He averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists, shooting 46.5%, including 37.4% from 3.

What's the latest on Brandon Ingram to Lakers trade front?

Brandon Ingram has been linked with the Lakers for a long time. The Lakers were even deemed favorites to land Ingram as his contract extension talks with the Pelicans have seemingly headed nowhere. However, the Lakers have had no interest in reuniting with their former prospect.

Here's what insider Jake Fischer wrote in December:

"Ingram's first NBA franchise is indeed whispered often by scouts as a potential destination for the next Ingram trade, but I haven't been give any indication that the Lakers are looking to pursue him now.

"All credible signals circulating about the Lakers suggest that L.A. is looking to fortify its frontcourt and add perimeter defense to assist LeBron James and Anthony Davis."

The Lakers' roster-building strategy has pivoted from going top-heavy to forming a well-rounded roster. After Fischer's report, the Lakers added a wing defender in Dorian Finney-Smith a few weeks later, indicating their reluctance to have another big-three lineup after the failed Russell Westbrook trade in 2021.

Brandon Ingram continues to have other suitors in the market, and he remains one of the biggest names who could potentially be on the move as the trade deadline nears.