The Golden State Warriors have been on the hunt for an All-Star to complement Steph Curry for some time. After unsuccessful attempts to acquire LeBron James around last year’s trade deadline, and later attempts for Paul George and Lauri Markkanen, their options continue to dwindle. Currently, Brandon Ingram appears to be the only viable target remaining.
Following the start of the trade season on December 15, the Warriors made a move to acquire Dennis Schröder, anticipating it would set off a chain of successful trades. However, they have missed several chances, often beyond their control. Although they showed interest in Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat’s president confirmed that he was not on the move. They had hoped the Lakers would struggle, leading LeBron to seek a trade, but instead, the Lakers acquired depth by trading D’Angelo Russell, signaling their commitment to LeBron’s future with the team. With top names like LeBron and Butler unavailable, the Warriors find themselves with limited impactful options.
Brandon Ingram stands out as the most significant player still on the market, but the Pelicans may have unreasonable demands.
The Warriors had a chance to bolster their roster when the Nets sought a larger trade. In that missed opportunity, they could have secured Cam Johnson, Schröder, and Dorian Finney-Smith, significantly enhancing their depth. However, the Warriors aimed for a bigger name and now face the consequences of lacking options.
Is Brandon Ingram Worth Pursuing?
Ingram’s last appearance was on December 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he sustained an ankle injury. The Pelicans expect him to return by mid-January, but they’ll likely exercise caution given the trade rumors surrounding him. Despite his recent injury issues, he leads the Pelicans in scoring with 22.2 points per game and contributes 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists. His 3-point shooting attempts have increased this year, rising from 3.8 per game last season to 6.4, with a better shooting percentage of 37.4%.
Ingram was named an All-Star in 2020 and also earned the Most Improved Player Award that season, averaging 23.8 points on 46% shooting. Despite his talent, injury problems have plagued his career, and he has only played more than 70 games once—his rookie season. Currently in a contract year, acquiring him would require the Warriors to ensure he re-signs long-term.
What Can the Warriors Offer for Ingram?
To trade for Brandon Ingram, the Warriors have two potential paths, both involving Andrew Wiggins to match Ingram’s salary. They can either package him with two younger players, like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, or include an expiring contract and draft picks. The direction they take will depend on negotiations with the Pelicans.
While the Warriors could also consider other names on the market, such as Zach LaVine and Cam Johnson, Ingram is notably the youngest and healthiest option among them.
