Key Takeaways:
– Golden State Warriors have shown interest in trading for Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen.
– The Warriors may consider Brandon Ingram as an alternative option due to Utah’s reluctance to trade Markkanen.
– An NBA Executive suggests Ingram could be a game changer for the Warriors under Steve Kerr’s coaching.
– Despite Ingram’s injury problems and demands for a hefty long-term contract, he could offer the Warriors valuable positional versatility.
Golden State’s Trade Plans Shaky
The Golden State Warriors, in an attempt to rejuvenate and stay competitive, are eying versatile scorers in the off-season market. The team has reportedly made concrete offers for Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen, but their efforts haven’t met much success. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Utah is wary of trading Markkanen, pushing teams to up their bid if they want to land him. It seems that the Warriors need to reconsider their game plan.
Ingram: A Potential ‘Plan B’ In The Making
A discussion of a potential alternative arose this week—Brandon Ingram. A Western Conference executive underscored that although the Golden State’s original target was Markkanen, Ingram comes up as a sensible plan B. Ingram, despite his injury-riddled past, comes with a proven record of high-scoring performances when fit. Moreover, the New Orleans Pelicans have been vocal about their desire to trade Ingram, increasing chances of a fruitful exchange.
Ingram’s Upsides and Downsides
Ingram, standing tall at 6-foot-8, exhibits star ability and versatility in his game. He has displayed his calibre and knack for scoring, leaving no stone unturned during his All-Star season with the Pelicans back in 2019-2020. However, his subsequent struggles with injuries have been a significant downside. The fact that he’s missed almost a third of the Pelicans’ games in recent seasons raises serious doubts about his long-term viability.
Ingram’s performance back in 2022-23 was impressive, averaging 24.7 points. Although he stepped back down to an average of 20.8 points this year, his potential to bounce back can’t be ruled out. In his first two seasons with the Pelicans, he proved to be a formidable three-point shooter, knocking down 38.6 percent of his attempts. Steve Kerr, the Warriors coach known for emphasizing three-point shooting, could work wonders with Ingram’s sharpshooting skills.
A Long-term Extension: A Double-edged Sword
The question surrounding Ingram, however, remains his insistence on a long-term extension. His demand for a four-year, $208 million extension raises eyebrows. The Pelicans have shown no inclination to meet this demand. The dilemma now is whether the Golden State Warriors would be ready to take the risk. They have the option of offering a first-round pick and potentially trading off players like Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody, which seems like a reasonable deal.
In essence, if the Warriors manage to land Ingram in a trade, it surely could be a strategic win. Despite his high extension demands and injury concerns, Ingram’s proven scoring ability and positional versatility make him a worthy target. The potential combination of Kerr’s coaching prowess with Ingram’s raw talent could result in a game-changing deal for the Warriors. However, to make this happen, the Warriors need to reassess their trade plans and make a judicious decision. It’s a gamble that may well become a jackpot. Only time will tell.