UPDATE: BI Likely to be Traded[Pel's Media expect a big push to move in Ingram in Early August]

You have Ingram and his agent begging around the league to pay him a max deal.

He doesn't want to be here or even take in a below max on a 1+1 deal. Cut your loses.

If his price to stay in the NOLA is max or nothing. You're better off trading him than walking for nothing in FA. You aren't competing without a starting 5 this season. So, having Ingram doesn't change that one bit.

Technically, you probably can't let him walk for nothing as other teams will probably need to sign and trade him for junk salary and heavily protected picks. Which is a worse deal.