TORONTO – With Zion Williamson’s NBA debut delayed due to injury, the spotlight on the New Orleans Pelicans has turned to another intriguing newcomer: Brandon Ingram.

Ingram, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft, spent his first three years in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he experienced an up-and-down start to his career. Last season got off to a rocky start when he was involved in an altercation with the Houston Rockets, which resulted in a four-game suspension, but Ingram averaged 27.8 points and 7.5 rebounds after the All-Star break before being shut down by a blood clot. His days playing alongside LeBron James in Los Angeles ended when he was traded to New Orleans on July 6 as part of the Anthony Davis blockbuster deal.

But life on and off the court for Ingram appears to be going smoother in “The Big Easy” so far this season. The Kinston, North Carolina, native is enjoying being back in the South.

“It has slowed down for me a little bit. It reminds me of North Carolina,” Ingram told The Undefeated. “It hasn’t been much of an adjustment. It is more my speed. Everybody has been pretty welcoming.

“I like it.”

The Pelicans like what they’re seeing, too. After four games, Ingram is averaging a team-high 27.3 points and 9.5 rebounds this season. The fourth-year forward talked to The Undefeated recently about playing with James and Williamson, his pending free agency and the blood clot in the following Q&A.