Warriors Trades to Consider After 1st Wave of NBA Free Agency

The Golden State Warriors definitely look different than they did upon entering the 2024 NBA offseason.

Have they gotten any better, though?

Credit the front office for operating on a limited budget and still finding the means to add Kyle Anderson, De’Anthony Melton and Buddy Hield, but the Warriors also had to sacrifice ultra-reliable reserve Chris Paul and historic sharpshooter Klay Thompson. Also also, they’ve still yet to find a championship-caliber costar for Stephen Curry.

That’s a long-winded way of saying the transformation of this team could be a work in progress. If Golden State shares that sentiment, then these are three trade concepts it could be kicking around.

Every win-now team is surely taking a long look at the Brooklyn Nets right now, as they seemingly signaled an intent to rebuild by shipping out two-way swingman Mikal Bridges for five first-round picks.

Even if the Nets aren’t of the everything-must-go mindset, they should still be open to dealing reliable veterans for draft assets. The Warriors, meanwhile, should be open to flipping a few long-term assets for plug-and-play contributors.

Could Golden State and Brooklyn gain traction on trade talks built around three-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith and 6’8″ net-shredder Cameron Johnson? If the Warriors are willing to put a couple future-focused assets into the exchange, this seems doable.

A future first-round pick and a second-tier prospect (i.e., not Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski) might be the kind of sweeteners needed to get the Nets’ attention. Use Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney as salary-fillers—and players Brooklyn could conceivably flip at a later date for additional assets—and that could be the foundation for a trade.

Lauri Markkanen is arguably the top player on the trade market—assuming he’s actually on the trade market, of course. The Utah Jazz can’t seem to decide whether it’s better to keep Markkanen around as their franchise face or flip him for the kind of assets that might deliver the next savior to Salt Lake City.

One could surmise the Jazz would at least be willing to listen for the right amount of assets.

To properly brace Warriors fans, it would take almost everything they’ve got to get him. Markkanen is an in-prime, 27-year-old with an All-Star selection and a Most Improved Player award honor on his resume. He’s also an effortless fit for virtually any roster. Seven-footers with three-point range, post scoring, some shot creation and defensive versatility can play anywhere.

So, yes, the Jazz would surely start their talks with promising Warriors’ swingman Jonathan Kuminga and not stop there. It could take Kuminga, multiple first-round picks and perhaps another prospect like Moses Moody to even get Utah’s attention. That’s a steep price, but it’s worth it if Golden State thinks Markkanen is the kind of player who could help get it back toward the basketball world’s mountaintop.

The New Orleans Pelicans seem less than enthused at the idea of giving Brandon Ingram a contract extension. The Warriors may not share those hesitations if they feel the former No. 2 pick is the kind of talent who could serve as a No. 2 option with Curry.

And because Ingram has that financial uncertainty—he’s down to the final season of his contract—he shouldn’t cost a fortune in a trade.

Golden State would have to give up something, obviously, but names like Kuminga and Podziemski should be kept out of these discussions. Form an offer around one future first, Moses Moody and salary-filler, and that could be enough for a one-time All-Star approaching a contract year.

Ingram plays a little more methodical than the Warriors, but they could each help the other. Golden State’s system might coax never-before-seen efficiency out of Ingram, while his ability to create shots out of isolations would expand this squad’s offensive menu.