Warriors' Hypothetical Blockbuster Trades to Shake up NBA Offseason

If the Golden State Warriors still fashion themselves as part of the NBA championship conversation, then they better take note of the fact they barely made a peep on that front during the 2023-24 season.

To avoid a similar fate during the 2024-25 campaign, they better plan (and hope) for an eventful offseason. Luckily, it sounds like they at least know as much.

"This offseason is going to be different," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said on 95.7 The Game's Willard and Dibs (via NBC Sports Bay Area). "It's the first time I think that I've felt like there needs to be some change, but I don't know what it is."

Hopefully, that change involves finding the co-star that Stephen Curry so desperately needs. The Warriors would need to be creative to make that happen, but the following three trade concepts could all help point this team in the right direction.

Solidifying the Center Spot with Jarrett Allen

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ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 27: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2024 at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Warriors didn't have a top-shelf paint presence this past season. Trading for Jarrett Allen would be a huge step toward correcting that deficiency.

Allen is about as active as anyone on the interior. This marked the third time in four seasons he averaged at least 10 rebounds and a block while shooting 60-plus percent from the field. Just four other players have cleared those marks in any of the past four campaigns, and only Rudy Gobert (four) and Clint Capela (two) have done so more than once, per StatHead Basketball.

Allen is an expert rim-runner, sort of a bigger, longer version of what Golden State hopes Trayce Jackson-Davis could become. Allen can lock down the paint but also move quickly enough to chase players off of the perimeter. On offense, he crushes everything around the rim and adds value away from it as a solid screen-setter.

He isn't quite a tier-one star, but that means he shouldn't carry a tier-one trade cost. He isn't worth giving up Jonathan Kuminga to get, but the Dubs might need a couple of firsts and Moses Moody (plus salary-filler) to pry Allen loose.

Betting Big on Brandon Ingram

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 10: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes to the basket during the game on January 10, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Addressing Golden State's needs for star power and shot-creation won't be easy on its trade budget, but a deal for Brandon Ingram might be doable.

The New Orleans Pelicans may believe they have plateaued with their core, as they are reportedly expected to "aggressively explore the trade market" for Ingram this offseason, per NBA insider Marc Stein.

If the Pelicans are motivated to make a move, the Warriors might have what they're after. They could send back a replacement wing in Andrew Wiggins, or if that doesn't interest New Orleans, they could use Chris Paul as the primary salary-filler instead. From there, the Warriors probably need to flesh out the package with a future first-rounder or two along with a prospect like Moses Moody or Brandin Podziemski.

The cost isn't cheap, but it's not a budget-breaker either. It could be too steep in hindsight if Ingram can't overcome his injury issues, but it might be a steal if he does. The 6'8" swingman could shine as a secondary scorer and playmaker, and his three-point volume and efficiency might both ramp up within this offensive system.

Bringing Back Kevin Durant

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns is defended by Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter at Chase Center on February 10, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

While the Phoenix Suns sound disinterested in making major moves, their uninspired play this season coupled with their limited means of changing this roster going forward warrants some skepticism regarding just how committed to this core they really are. And that's to say nothing of the possibility that one of their players deems the same two things as reasons to seek out a scenery change.

So, even if a Kevin Durant deal isn't likely this summer, the concept hardly feels outlandish. Which should be tremendous news for the Warriors, who have already seen just how snugly he fits their system.

Durant played with the Dubs from 2016-17 to 2018-19 and helped book a Finals trip every season. The Warriors won two titles with him (he was Finals MVP in both) and could've perhaps had a third if he hadn't suffered a torn Achilles in the 2019 championship round.

Both he and this nucleus are older now, so it's not like the same level of domination would be the expectation. Saying that, a twosome featuring Curry and Durant would be a problem for anyone in the playoffs. If the Dubs have a shot at Durant, they have to take it—even if a deal might empty out their asset collection. Multiple draft picks and multiple prospects (including the ascending Jonathan Kuminga) would have to be sacrificed in the pursuit.