The Warriors wrapped up a disappointing season without making it to the playoffs, dropping the Play-In Tournament game against the Kings and exited early in 2023-24. This seemed to mark the end of a 12-year period where the healthy Warriors were seen as potential championship contenders.
But what's next for them? Star guard Stephen Curry still has the ability to lead a contending team, but the rest of the team needs adjustments, if not a complete overhaul. Expect the Warriors to be aggressive in their search for a new potential No. 2 scorer alongside Curry, a younger second-tier star capable of scoring 22-24 points per game, similar to Klay Thompson once did.
And there's a player who fits that role: Pelicans star Brandon Ingram.
"He's the type of player they'll be looking for, as he has the ability to score but comes with some injury concerns, possibly making his price lower than it should be," explained a Western Conference executive to Heavy Sports. "If kept healthy and managed carefully, he can make a significant impact. Despite being young (Ingram is 26), that's exactly what they need."
"He's unpredictable. But we've seen him play 30 minutes against Washington and score 40 points. He did it twice (also against Toronto). When he's at his best, he's a formidable scorer.
Brandon Ingram is an exceptional scorer
Without a doubt, Ingram possesses star-level talent, evidenced by his All-Star season in 2019-20, his first season with the Pelicans, where he was a key piece in the trade for Anthony Davis. Lakers The concern is that, since then, Ingram has struggled to stay healthy. Over the past four seasons, he has missed almost 30% of the Pelicans' games (225 out of 318). After averaging a career-high 24.7 points in 2022-23, he dropped to
"He can play at the 4, is highly versatile, and can switch positions frequently. He's also turned into a very good playmaker, which aligns with what Steve (Kerr) appreciates. While his toughness may be questioned, pairing him with Draymond Green could change that," stated an Eastern Conference GM.
"New Orleans is uncertain about committing to him. Therefore, numerous teams have their sights on him. Approximately 10-12 teams are monitoring him in case he becomes available, or however you want to phrase it."
Warriors Would Need to Take a Risk
The possibility of money could influence Ingram's departure from the Pelicans and potentially aid the Warriors in acquiring him at a reduced cost. A trade involving
and a future first-round pick might be plausible, if the Pelicans are interested in Paul (and the one year remaining on his contract). Chris Paul with Moses Moody Another option could involve Andrew Wiggins and Moody in a deal, with Ingram moving to the Dubs. Wiggins has three years and $84 million remaining on his contract.
Ingram is eligible for an extension, and is currently under contract until 2024-25 for $36 million, which is the last year of a
five-year, $158 million contract he agreed to in 2020. Although Ingram could have signed a three-year, $147 million deal this year, the Pels have not talked to him about an extension. The Warriors would have to make a similar choice, but now Ingram is in line for a $208 million deal over four years.
It would be a risky move. However, the Warriors are in a position where taking risks may be necessary to stay competitive.
The star power of the Warriors has waned, but acquiring a young (though often injured) scorer like Brandon Ingram through a trade could potentially make them a contender once again.
