According to the latest Golden State Warriors trade rumors, the team is working to add another star-level player to build around 16-year veteran guard Steph Curry. During the offseason, Paul George, Lauri Markkanen, and Zach LaVine were among Golden State’s top trade targets.
Golden State Warriors are “the biggest candidate” to make a blockbuster trade this season
During Thursday’s edition of ESPN’s First Take, Brian Windhorst said Golden State is “the biggest candidate” to make a game-changing trade this season, and the team tried to make a move for LeBron James last season as well. Here are the three potential trade targets the Warriors could be pursuing.
Golden State is 7-1, but Brian Windhorst believes they could still shake things up. 👀
"The Warriors are the biggest candidate in my mind to make a big trade. They tried to trade for LeBron James last trade deadline… This is a team that's got an itchy trigger finger trying to… pic.twitter.com/qDoEWj6WXV
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 7, 2024
Brandon Ingram — New Orleans Pelicans
The Warriors are aiming to trade for an impactful veteran. Golden State has young, productive players in guard Moses Moody, forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, guard Brandin Podzemski, and forward Jonathan Kuminga. In addition to possessing young firepower, the team owns all of its draft picks.
Golden State could very well revisit a previous trade target: New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram. Having said that, Ingram is still reportedly seeking a four-year, $200 million contract extension. The Pelicans have not seemed willing to commit to that amount dating back to the offseason.
Ingram, 27, was mentioned in several trade rumors, but a deal never manifested among the dozen-or-so interested teams. While he would be a useful asset, no team wants to offer such a ludicrous deal. Perhaps Ingram would consider taking a pay cut for the best chance to win an NBA title.
Through nine games (all starts) this season, Ingram is averaging 24.1 points, a career-high-tying 6.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 33.2 minutes per contest while shooting 49.4% from the field and 36.1% from 3-point range. For what it’s worth, Ingram is currently leading the league in field goals this season with 87.
Giannis Antetokounmpo — Milwaukee Bucks
Next, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is another option for Golden State. The Dubs could really use the 6-foot-11 wing. Last summer, the Warriors acquired veteran players Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, and De’Anthony Melton. Golden State signed Melton as a free agent and traded for Anderson and Hield for Klay Thompson.
Although the Warriors could pull the trigger on a trade for the Greek Freak, it would destroy their roster in the process. Golden State would have to move Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, Kuminga, Podziemski, and Jackson-Davis in order to accommodate Antetokounmpo’s upcoming three-year, $175.36 million contract.
Golden State has 2025 and 2027 picks available to move. Though, five-for-one trades are rare in the middle of a season. The Warriors would have to fill those roster spots with minimum-salaried players, and the move would ultimately hurt their depth. Simply put, this is a high-risk trade for such a talented team.
Jimmy Butler — Miami Heat
Then there’s Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat forward in his 14th season. Butler, 35, nearly left the Sunshine State in the offseason, but a trade was never finalized when negotiations fell apart.
Seven games into the 2024-25 season, the Heat are off to a disappointing 3-4 start. All eyes are now on the six-time All-Star. He’s averaging 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 47.7% from the field and a career-low 16.7% from beyond the arc.
Earlier this month, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that “rival executives believe the Warriors are more willing than ever to include [Jonathan] Kuminga in a trade of significant magnitude.” If Butler is open to joining Steph Curry and the Warriors, a deal could get worked out sooner rather than later.
“Jimmy Butler’s going to be a free agent next summer, didn’t get an extension done,” Amick added. “The Warriors, as you know, have an interest there, and I think probably made a couple of calls during the summer.”
According to Spotrac, Butler is slated to make $48.79 million this season and has a player option for $52.41 million next year. If Butler declines his player option, he would become a free agent next summer.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 6, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET.
