The Golden State Warriors, accustomed to dominance over the past decade, now face the challenge of maintaining their championship edge as the dynasty era begins to wane. With Stephen Curry set to turn 36 next year, and despite his skillful game that should age well, the Warriors’ championship window with him as the lead player may be closing soon—if it hasn’t already.
This realization has spurred significant changes in the Bay Area this summer. The team has seen the departure of four-time champion Klay Thompson and has added new players like De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, and Kyle Anderson, enhancing their roster depth. However, their current lineup may lack the star power needed to compete with top Western Conference teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.
To address this, the Warriors have been in trade discussions with the Utah Jazz for Lauri Markkanen, a 7-foot stretch forward with All-Star offensive potential. Although Markkanen doesn’t perfectly fit with the Warriors, he represents the best available option to complement Curry, allow Draymond Green to shift to center, and revive the team’s feared “death lineup.”
If the Warriors are unable to acquire Markkanen, they may look to another potential target: former All-Star Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans, who is entering the final season of his $158 million contract.
Brandon Ingram May Not Suit Many NBA Teams, but the Warriors Could Be an Exception
On Friday, August 2, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report outlined five players he predicts will be traded before the 2024-25 deadline on February 6.
Buckley noted that Brandon Ingram is a complex trade candidate due to his impending contract needs and the substantial demands he might make. While Ingram is undoubtedly worth a significant investment, he isn’t a clear fit for a max contract (either four years for $207.8 million now or five years for $269.1 million next summer). Additionally, he may have more value to other teams than to New Orleans, as he isn’t the high-volume shooter or elite defender the Pelicans might prefer alongside Zion Williamson.
One challenge in trading for Ingram is finding a team willing to make such an investment. With the next two NBA drafts featuring deep talent pools, teams that are either struggling or only moderately competitive may not be the right fit.
Teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks, which are already dealing with luxury tax concerns or have rosters that don’t necessarily need Ingram, may not be ideal candidates. This situation leaves teams such as the Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers—both led by aging stars and seeking to move from playoff contenders to genuine title contenders—as potential fits for Ingram.
Warriors Require Additional Offensive Support for Stephen Curry and Draymond Green to Compete at a High Level
Ingram’s fit with Curry in the Warriors’ motion-heavy offense is not ideal. He does not shoot a high volume of 3-pointers (averaging 36.2% on 3.7 attempts per game throughout his eight-year career) and can sometimes disrupt ball movement.
Ingram thrives when he has the ball in his hands, particularly in the mid-range game, which doesn’t align perfectly with the Warriors’ offensive style. However, he has demonstrated the ability to make difficult jump shots in crucial moments, including in past playoffs, which is a valuable asset for any team aiming for deep postseason runs.
Over his career, Ingram averages 19.4 points per game, with recent seasons showing averages between 20.8 and 24.7 points per game since his sole All-Star appearance in 2019-20. His scoring ability and the Warriors’ need for more star power have led some NBA analysts to advocate for Golden State to pursue him.
“He’s a player who has shown he can average 25 points a game. He’s a bucket-getter,” said ESPN analyst and former professional player Kendrick Perkins on “NBA Today” on July 17. “He plays the crucial wing position. Adding him alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green could elevate the Warriors back into serious contention in the Western Conference.”
