The Golden State Warriors, facing the inevitability of an aging dynasty, are making strategic moves to extend their competitive edge for a few more seasons. With Stephen Curry turning 36 next year, the team acknowledges that their championship window with him as the centerpiece may be closing.
This realization has already prompted significant changes this summer. Klay Thompson departed for the Dallas Mavericks in free agency, while the Warriors added De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, and Kyle Anderson, creating one of the deepest rosters in the NBA. However, the roster might still lack the star power needed to compete with top Western Conference teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets.
Enter Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz. The Warriors have been in trade talks with Utah for weeks, eyeing Markkanen, a 7-foot stretch big with All-Star offensive capabilities. Although he doesn’t perfectly fit the Warriors’ system, he could potentially complement Curry and move Draymond Green to center, forming a new version of the formidable “death lineup.” Unfortunately, these discussions have stalled since mid-July.
Should the Markkanen trade fall through, the Warriors might turn their attention to former All-Star Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans, who is nearing the end of his $158 million contract.
Ingram presents a tricky trade scenario due to his upcoming need for a new contract, potentially worth up to $269.1 million over five years. He may not fit perfectly with many NBA teams, but the Warriors could be an exception. Teams with championship aspirations, such as the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks, are either already in luxury tax territory or don’t need a player like Ingram. This narrows the list of potential suitors to teams like the Warriors or the Los Angeles Lakers, who are aiming to elevate from playoff contenders to title challengers.
Despite not being an ideal fit for the Warriors’ motion-heavy offense, Ingram’s ability to score tough jump shots in critical moments makes him a valuable asset. For his career, Ingram averages 19.4 points per game, with consistent performance in the 20.8-24.7 ppg range over the past five seasons. His scoring prowess and the Warriors’ need for additional star talent have led some NBA insiders to support a Golden State pursuit of Ingram.
“This is a young man that has proven that he can go out there and average 25 a night. He’s a bucket-getter,” ESPN analyst and former professional player Kendrick Perkins said on “NBA Today” on July 17. “He plays the most important position [the wing] in the game. And putting him alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green would actually put the Warriors back in the thick of things in the Western Conference.”
As the Warriors navigate these trade speculations and roster adjustments, their goal remains clear: to maximize their chances of winning championships with Curry still at the helm.
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