This proposed trade moves Brandon Ingram to the Golden State Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors have clearly been focused on improving their roster this season, making a win-now trade for Chris Paul and trying to draft ready-to-play rookies who can contribute immediately. There are definitely other moves that the team can make, and this trade scenario is an interesting option for the team.

In this article, we cover a trade that sends Brandon Ingram to the Golden State Warriors. His s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set is a perfect fit for the team, and he would make a dynamic duo with Stephen Curry. This scenario has a trade package that is centered on Andrew Wiggins.

Golden State Warriors Receive: Brandon Ingram

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody

This would definitely be an interesting deal for both teams involved. The Golden State Warriors would increase their overall star power, while the New Orleans Pelicans would get a decent package for a star on a short-term contract. Here is why both the Warriors and the Pelicans should consider making this trade.

The Golden State Warriors Get An Offensive Star-Level Player With All-NBA Potential

Brandon Ingram had a career year with the New Orleans Pelicans this season, averaging 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists while shooting 39.0% from 3PT range. There is no doubt that Ingram is the sort of offensive wing player that every team desires in today’s NBA: he is a fantastic isolation scorer, delivers in the clutch, and is also a great playmaker. In theory, he should be the perfect fit in the Warriors’ system, and Ingram gives them an elite secondary star behind Stephen Curry.

The basketball fit isn’t necessarily the problem from the Warriors’ perspective, but Ingram’s durability issues are somewhat concerning for a veteran team like Golden State. He only played 45 games this season. However, the Golden State Warriors’ medical staff have had a good track record of getting the best even out of injury-prone players: we saw Otto Porter Jr. play 63 games in the regular season during his 2021-22 season with the team, his highest mark in the last four seasons. Perhaps they could help ensure that Brandon Ingram plays more games and is able to stay healthy.

The two key players that the Golden State Warriors would lose in this trade are Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga. Andrew Wiggins was an All-Star during the 2021-22 season and is generally highly regarded by fans and analysts alike for his contributions on both ends of the floor. However, there’s no doubt that Ingram is a better player right now, and the increase in offensive firepower should be worth it for the Warriors. Losing Jonathan Kuminga means sacrificing some of the team’s future, but the team’s priority should be to win during Stephen Curry’s timeline, and this trade definitely helps them with that goal.

Overall, this is a trade that increases the Golden State Warriors’ overall talent level and helps Stephen Curry carry the team less on the offensive end. Adding Ingram would give them another late-game closer besides Curry as well, which is important on the playoff stage. This is a solid deal for the team and could help the Warriors win the 2024 championship.

The New Orleans Pelicans Get A Good Deal For A Star Player That Might Leave

Brandon Ingram only has two years left on his contract, and he could become a free agent in 2025. Trading him when his contract will be expiring would be unwise, as the team would get far less in return than if they decide to trade him this year. If Ingram does not indicate that he wants to stay long-term in New Orleans, then the team should try and get a solid package for him so they can build around Zion Williamson. This package from the Warriors definitely helps them remain competitive overall.

Andrew Wiggins is one of the best 3 and D players in the league, providing solid complementary offense and guarding the best player on the opposing team. He and Herb Jones would be one of the best wing defensive duos in the NBA if paired together. Wiggins is also a solid floor spacer, averaging 39.6% from the 3PT range, and he would definitely get plenty of looks next to Zion Williamson. This past season, Andrew Wiggins averaged 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. One underrated aspect about Wiggins is that he’d bring much-needed championship experience to the Pelicans, and perhaps he can help them take the next step as a team.

Jonathan Kuminga is a really talented prospect that simply has not had many opportunities on the Golden State Warriors to show the sort of player that he can be. Perhaps he could get more time on the New Orleans Pelicans, and Willie Green has shown that he frequently rewards players that try hard on the defensive end. Kuminga is certainly a better prospect than players such as Dyson Daniels and Jordan Hawkins, and his ceiling as a player is extremely high due to his slashing ability and athleticism. Moses Moody profiles as a 3 and D wing, and in theory, he could play well off the bench in minutes with Zion Williamson.

The New Orleans Pelicans would clearly be getting a good deal for Brandon Ingram based on his contract situation with this trade. They would get a win-now veteran as well as future assets, and since they already have plenty of draft picks, they don’t necessarily need draft compensation in this trade.

This Trade Could Potentially Be A Win For Both Teams Involved

The Golden State Warriors would add another experienced star to their team by trading for Brandon Ingram, and he is the perfect wing for their system. Adding a player who can create in isolation but is also a gifted passer seems like a dream come true for the team, and he could help them win yet another championship.

As for the New Orleans Pelicans, they would get a solid trade package from a value standpoint, and Andrew Wiggins would definitely be a good fit with Zion Williamson. They would be able to remain competitive and add assets, which is a good move for a small-market team.

It will be interesting to see whether the New Orleans Pelicans and the Golden State Warriors end up making this trade in the future. As of right now, there have been no trade talks with this framework, but things can change quickly in the NBA