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Grade the Trade: Golden State Warriors acquire 25-year-old All-Star in proposed deal

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Players including Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors, Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans are separated following a scuffle during the second quarter at Chase Center on March 28, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Players including Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors, Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans are separated following a scuffle during the second quarter at Chase Center on March 28, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images) /
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Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots over Donte DiVincenzo of the Golden State Warriors during the second-quarter of a game at Chase Center on March 03, 2023. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots over Donte DiVincenzo of the Golden State Warriors during the second-quarter of a game at Chase Center on March 03, 2023. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The Warrior offense became far too Stephen Curry-reliant during the playoffs, demonstrated by the two-time MVP’s near-virtuoso 50-point performance in Game 7 of the first-round against the Sacramento Kings.

Golden State struggled to find enough shotmaking and shot creation to put a long Laker defense under pressure consistently in the second-round. The addition of a pick-and-roll maestro in Paul should help in that regard, though the 12-time All-Star’s individual scoring threat has declined over recent seasons.

Adding Ingram would revitalise the Warrior offense, giving them far more room for error on each offensive set. The former second overall pick would fit into the Golden State system, take on an increased role as the central hub with Curry off the floor, and could serve as a bail out option in a way Kevin Durant used to.

"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”, Tran wrote."

Ingram shot 39% from three-point range last season, a mark that could foreseeably push above 40% playing next to the spacing threats of Curry and Klay Thompson. It would be the kind of trade that may help in the regular season, but the real fruits wouldn’t be delivered until playoff time where defenses lock in and shotmaking in the half-court becomes far more valuable.

Summary

With Golden State looking to dive under the NBA’s new second-tax apron, the front office and ownership may have a hard time bringing in another player who could command an extension in excess of $200 million. If the Warriors could switch Wiggins for Chris Paul then this may become a homerun deal for them depending on how Kuminga looks early next season.

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Both teams would probably say no right now, but there’s a world in which it’s a very fair trade for both come the February trade deadline. That’s the sign of a pretty even trade proposal.

Grades

Golden State Warriors: C

New Orleans Pelicans: C

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