Golden State Warriors Receive: F Brandon Ingram, G Tomas Satoransky, C Jaxson Hayes
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F Andrew Wiggins, C James Wiseman, F Jonathan Kuminga
The Golden State Warriors are definitely going to be in a “win-now” mode entering the 2021-22 season, but until Klay Thompson returns, this team is going to still be trying to improve. Thompson is expected to return on Christmas Day, but he likely will not be up to full speed until near the end of January, early February of 2022.
By then, it could be too late for the Warriors to make a real push to be a top team in the Western Conference, which is why they could look to trade for Brandon Ingram earlier in the season.
In two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans now, Ingram has averaged 23.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and has shot 38.6% from three-point range, making him a perfect second or third scoring option on this Warriors team with or without Klay Thompson in the rotation.
Not only is Ingram a better scorer than Andrew Wiggins, but he really is not that bad of a defender either, especially if he would be surrounded by key defenders in Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green. The All-Star wing could fit in really well with Golden State, but he already fits in quite nicely next to Zion Williamson in New Orleans.
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These two, along with Devonte’ Graham, Jonas Valanciunas, and a bunch of young talents definitely have a chance to be a special team in the Western Conference, which is why a trade like this likely would not occur until a few months into the season if there is any chance of it occurring in general.
Getting another All-Star talent would definitely make the Warriors a team to beat in the league, but the cost could wind up being too great for them. Wiggins, Wiseman, and Kuminga are all high-potential, young talents on this Warriors roster that they are high on, which is why they may not be too keen on giving them up, even for a talented player like Brandon Ingram.
This is definitely an interesting trade package to consider for both teams involved but does this trade truly make sense for the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans given the situations both organizations are facing?
