The Golden State Warriors have been criticized by a lot of fans and media after losing Klay Thompson and Chris Paul in the 2024 offseason. For the Golden State Warriors, who want to win the championship, it is indeed a bit of a pity to lose them. However, the combined annual salary of the two will exceed $70 million, and in order to avoid the luxury tax, the Golden State Warriors can only give up on them.
However, Golden State Warriors fans should not be discouraged, because after giving up the two, the team has a lot of salary space and can sign better stars to strengthen the roster. To this end, the American media "Fadeaway World" listed the five stars that the Golden State Warriors can trade after losing two key players, Chris Paul and Klay Thompson.
1. Jazz's Markkanen
Utah Jazz send: Markkanen
Golden State Warriors send: Andrew Wiggins, 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick swap, 2028 first-round pick
Markkanen is the leader of the Utah Jazz, and he is an all-around tall man. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. His offensive efficiency is very high, shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from three-point range.
Over the past few seasons, a number of teams have wanted to trade him, including the Lakers. However, the asking price for the Utah Jazz is very high, with 4-6 first-round picks, plus 1-2 young players with potential. For the Golden State Warriors, Markkanen is a very good addition. In the past few seasons, the Golden State Warriors have lacked players with independent offensive ability on the inside.
2. Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans send: Brandon Ingram
Golden State Warriors send: Andrew Wiggins, Moses Moody, 2026 first-round pick
Brandon Ingram has fallen out with the New Orleans Pelicans, and it wouldn't come as a surprise that he was traded away by the Pelicans. In the 2023-24 season, Brandon Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. He shot 49.2 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from three-point range.
He is known as the low-profile version of Durant, and if he joins the Golden State Warriors and joins Stephen Curry, the Warriors will have much less offensive pressure. After all, Brandon Ingram has the ability to impact the interior and is also very good at mid-range shooting, and he should be able to reduce the offensive pressure on Stephen Curry more than Andrew Wiggins.
Brandon Ingram's five-year, $158 million contract is expiring, and the Pelicans don't want to give him a big max contract, and the Pelicans are considering a trade to send him away. Having the opportunity to leave the Pelicans this time may be the best option.
3. Kuzma
Washington Wizards send: Kuzma
Golden State Warriors send: Andrew Wiggins, Moses Moody, 2027 first-round pick
According to reports, the Lakers are trying to find a way to return Kuzma to the Lakers, in fact, in the past few seasons when Kuzma left the Lakers, there have been reports that he may return to the Lakers, but after so long, the Lakers still have not moved.
In the 2023-24 season, Kuzma averaged 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, which is an All-Star statistic, and with Jordan Poole, Kuzma has been favored by more playoff teams. Moreover, Kuzma signed a four-year, $90 million contract last year, which is very cost-effective.
4. Keldon Johnson
San Anthony Spurs send: Keldon Johnson
Golden State Warriors send: Andrew Wiggins, a 2026 first-round pick
Keldon Johnson is a long-time swingman who averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in the 2023-24 season. With Wembanyama's arrival, his chances on the offensive end have been reduced a lot.
His four-year, $74 million contract with the Spurs has just begun, and the Spurs will not consider giving up the cheap and beautiful Keldon Johnson. Moreover, his recent trip to China has attracted a lot of attention from fans and media, and the Spurs will not let him go easily.
5. Capella
Atlanta Hawks send: Clint Capela
Golden State Warriors send: Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, 2026 first-round pick
Asking the Golden State Warriors to send Kevon Looney in exchange for Capela doesn't seem worth it. In the 2023-24 season, Capela averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He is very aggressive on the interior offensive and defensively, and his annual salary for the 2024-25 season is a whopping $22.3 million, which is difficult for the Golden State Warriors to accept.
However, his contract is almost out of date. The Golden State Warriors can renew his contract with a veteran base salary, after all, he is very inspirational and really hardworking. However, the current Capela is not worth the Golden State Warriors' overdraft so much.