Inside The Warriors

New Update on Potential Golden State Warriors Trade for $158M Star

The Warriors will likely not be trading for this NBA star

Joey Linn

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) hugs forward Zion Williamson (1) before game against the Washington Wizards at Smoothie King Center.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) hugs forward Zion Williamson (1) before game against the Washington Wizards at Smoothie King Center. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Despite having Steph Curry on their roster, the Golden State Warriors have failed to build a serious contender since winning an NBA championship in 2022. One could easily argue that 2022 team was even a tier below what a typical contender looks like in the modern NBA, but Curry’s greatness combined with timely performances from key role players was enough to win it all.

Since that championship, the Warriors have been eliminated in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers (2023) and missed the playoffs entirely (2024). Trending in the wrong direction, Golden State has yet to make a significant roster move that would place them back into contention.

In a recent article, Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area revealed some insight into Golden State’s thinking.

"In the eight years since [Kevin Durant] departed, the Oubre deal is the only individual move made under the theory that it alone would be enough to keep the Warriors among the contenders," Poole wrote. "Every move since, including the addition of Chris Paul last summer, was made to supplement the roster rather than expand its core."

According to Poole, the failed Oubre experience still impacts Golden State's approach to transactions.

"Much of that approach is related to the Oubre experience." Poole added. "No longer are the Warriors willing to jeopardize their bottom line, sacrifice a bundle of draft picks or disrupt their roster for anyone who doesn't rate a consensus. Brandon Ingram, to cite an example, is among those who, according to sources, does not meet that level. There's enough pro/con that any chance of him coming to Golden State is minuscule."

New Orleans Pelicans small forward Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans small forward Brandon Ingram (14) against Golden State Warriors center Draymond Green (23) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. / Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Not considered on the level of Paul George or Lauri Markkanen, two players Golden State reportedly pursued this offseason, Ingram is not the type of player the Warriors are willing to deal for at this stage of their timeline.

Entering the final year of his five-year, $158M deal, Ingram's market will be interesting.

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Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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