The Golden State Warriors entered the 2024 offseason with a clear goal: to add more scoring power alongside Stephen Curry. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, this objective has been a top priority for the team. As of August 17, the Warriors have made significant strides in that direction.
“Entering the offseason, the Golden State Warriors’ front office identified the need for a more established second scorer next to Stephen Curry as a high priority, team sources said,” Slater reported on August 15.
After unsuccessful attempts to trade for Lauri Markkanen and Paul George, the Warriors have now turned their attention to Brandon Ingram, a 26-year-old forward who could provide the scoring boost they need.
Potential Trade Details
To acquire Ingram, the Warriors would likely need to part with Andrew Wiggins to match salaries, along with a draft pick to sweeten the deal for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Proposed Trade:
- Warriors Receive: Brandon Ingram
- Pelicans Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Gui Santos, 2026 first-round pick
Ingram, coming off his eighth NBA season and fifth with the Pelicans, averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds in 64 regular-season games last season.
The Impact of Brandon Ingram
Ingram would bring a much-needed secondary scoring option behind Curry, something the Warriors have been lacking in recent years. Golden State’s offense, once nearly unstoppable, has struggled without Curry on the floor. Last season, the team scored just 115.2 points per 100 possessions without Curry, ranking in the 50th percentile and resulting in a net negative score differential.
Even with Curry, the Warriors managed only 119.3 points per 100 possessions, which ranks in the 79th percentile. Last season was just the second since 2015 that the Warriors didn’t have two players averaging 20 points per game. Ingram could fill that gap, especially in the absence of Klay Thompson.
Ingram would also diversify the Warriors’ offense, which has become increasingly reliant on three-point shooting. Last season, Ingram attempted 775 two-point shots out of 1,017 field goal attempts—far more than any current Warriors player.
Andrew Wiggins’ Uncertain Future
With three years left on his contract, Wiggins’ future with the Warriors seems uncertain. Logan Murdock of The Ringer reported on June 26 that Golden State was planning to actively shop Wiggins this summer.
“League sources believe Andrew Wiggins, who struggled to find a consistent role last season, will be aggressively dangled in trade talks,” Murdock wrote.
Wiggins, who just completed his 10th NBA season and fourth with the Warriors, saw his scoring average decline each year, finishing at 13.2 points per game last season.
Given the Warriors’ willingness to include multiple picks in previous trade discussions for George or Markkanen, attaching Wiggins to a first-round pick to acquire Ingram could be a logical move.
As the Warriors seek to maximize Stephen Curry’s championship window, leveraging Wiggins’ contract to bring in more firepower is a smart strategy. Brandon Ingram could be the key addition needed before the start of the 2024-2025 season.
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