The Golden State Warriors, familiar with NBA championship success, acknowledge their current roster’s limitations after falling short in the Play-In Tournament. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. conceded the team’s shortcomings, signaling the need for significant changes rather than minor adjustments to contend for a championship. With assets to facilitate impactful trades and a desire to surround franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry with elite talent, the Warriors are poised for a transformative offseason in pursuit of title contention.
One potential blockbuster move involves the return of Kevin Durant to the Warriors, dismissing the notion as perilous at one’s own risk. Durant, seeking a change after the Phoenix Suns’ playoff exit, shares a rapport with Curry and head coach Steve Kerr, fostering speculation about a reunion fueled by their upcoming stint with Team USA.
Durant’s prior tenure with the Warriors saw unparalleled success, showcasing his seamless fit within the team’s system and resulting in two championships. Despite recent struggles in Brooklyn and Phoenix, Durant’s potential role in Golden State remains clear, offering a familiar environment where his talents can thrive.
Another target for the Warriors is Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans, despite concerns about his durability and defensive prowess. Ingram’s offensive versatility and playmaking abilities align with the Warriors’ style, complementing Curry’s game and potentially elevating the team’s offensive efficiency.
Lastly, Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz emerges as a speculative target, given the uncertainty surrounding his future with a lottery-bound team. While Markkanen’s inclusion may seem ambitious, the Warriors possess the assets to engage in negotiations, leveraging draft picks and promising young players to bolster their roster.
While the pursuit of Durant, Ingram, or Markkanen involves varying degrees of feasibility, the Warriors are positioned to explore all options to enhance their championship aspirations. A successful offseason could see Golden State emerge as a formidable contender alongside Curry, setting the stage for another chapter of NBA dominance.
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Brandon Ingram should, in theory, probably be untouchable. He is a 26-year-old star coming off one of the most efficient campaigns of his career, and he fills up a stat sheet like few others. He has averaged at least 20 points, 4.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds in each of the past four seasons; only eight other players can claim the same, per StatHead Basketball.
Having said all that, Ingram isn’t exactly the model of great health. After playing 79 games in his rookie season of 2016-17, he hasn’t reached the 70-game mark since. He has never become the defensive player his physical tools say he should be, and he just played a mostly disastrous series in New Orleans’ first-round sweep.
There’s at least a chance the Pelicans make him available this summer. And, flaws and all, he is someone the Warriors should go after.
He isn’t quite as prolific of a perimeter shooter as you’d want from a Curry co-star, but Ingram’s ability to create for himself and his teammates would still be hugely helpful. Plus, there might be another level of offensive efficiency he can reach if Curry’s gravity and Golden State’s system help bring out his best.
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