The upcoming offseason for the Golden State Warriors promises to be historic. With Klay Thompson scheduled to become a free agent, there’s a chance the Big 3 era will come to an end. Is Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans a possible trade target given the team’s need to make roster changes?
A recent trade proposal between the Western Conference rivals, centred around the No. 2 choice in the 2016 NBA Draft, was made by Stephen Noh of Sporting News. As part of the proposed trade, Chris Paul, Moses Moody, a 2025 first-round pick, and a 2028 first-round pick would be sent to Golden State along with Brandon Ingram.
A deal centred on Ingram might be imminent, since the Pelicans are rumoured to not be offering an extension. Golden State would be wise to seize the chance to strike a deal if that materialises.
The Warriors, who are apparently eager to acquire Andrew Wiggins, might find this to be an intriguing trade. Brandon Ingram is a player who may easily take over as his starter forward if he is moved.
With Ingram in the lineup, Golden State would have a significant increase in a player who can generate offence for both himself and his teammates. Aside from Stephen Curry, who was typically the only player carrying the weight, the squad has occasionally lacked that.
Brandon Ingram, a consistent scorer of more than 20 points per game, would benefit the Warriors both now and in the future. He won’t even be in his peak when he turns 27 in September, so he might be a part of their future core.
Regarding the Pelicans, they require a bona fide floor general. Together with CJ McCollum, Ingram led their offence at times this season. Though none of them are born point guards, Zion Williamson also handled the ball.
It’s reasonable to question how much Paul still has left in him. At this point, he might not be a starter, but he makes up for a lot of the backcourt deficiencies the team has. As a 3-and-D player, Moody, a lottery selection in the 2021 NBA Draft, could deepen the bench on the wing.
For New Orleans, the two draft selections are also quite valuable. In an effort to shuffle things up on their roster, they now have two extra assets at their disposal in case a blockbuster trade opportunity arises.
