Stephen Curry may be 36 years old, but he’s still one of the best players in the world. The “Chef”‘s performance at the Olympics proved he’s still fit to compete at the top level for the foreseeable future.

However, when the Olympics end, Stephen Curry will have to face the reality that he can hardly dream of winning a championship when he returns to the NBA arena in 2024/25. The Golden State Warriors parted ways with Chris Paul and Klay Thompson in the summer of 2024, and the current elements of the team can hardly reach the NBA throne.

The Golden State Warriors are keen to capitalise on Stephen Curry’s remaining prime years to bring home at least one more title. However, they will need to strengthen ahead of the new season.

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1. Nikola Vucevic, Bulls

The Golden State Warriors are short on center. Draymond Green is a good defender, but he can’t fully assume the role of a power forward. Kevon Looney is a shadow of his former self, while Trayce Jackson-Davis is still inexperienced in his second year in the NBA.

Nikola Vucevic is also on the decline of his career. However, he still has the skills and experience to play at a high level. The Chicago Bulls are looking to rebuild the team, and they are willing to listen to offers for this player.

Vucevic is a great fit for the Golden State Warriors, as he can receive the ball at the top of the trapezoid, then distribute the ball to the bottom players or get the ball to teammates who are open at the 3-point line. He also has good defense and control of the basket.

To get Nikola Vucevic, the Golden State Warriors would have to trade Andrew Wiggins and a few young players, possibly Trayce Jackson-Davis.

2. Brandon Ingram, Pelicans

Throughout the offseason, the New Orleans Pelicans have made no secret of their desire to find a partner to trade Brandon Ingram. However, with Ingram still under a four-year, $208 million contract, it will not be easy for the Pelicans to complete their goal.

That would be a pretty hefty salary for a player who has never made it to All-Star status. Plus, Brandon Ingram has some pretty big flaws, including a dislike and poor performance at the 3-point line, as well as only average defense.

However, Brandon Ingram’s presence will give the Golden State Warriors a second scoring option, in case Stephen Curry is off or is being guarded too closely. He is still only 26 years old, so he can improve his mentality and progress, especially since he averaged 23.1 points last season.

3. James Harden, Clippers

James Harden is not allowed to leave the Los Angeles Clippers before December 15, 2024 due to the constraints of his new contract. However, it is not impossible that the Los Angeles Clippers will have to change their mind.

No one can predict the plans of the Los Angeles Clippers, especially when they let Paul George go to the Philadelphia 76ers and terminated the contract of Russell Westbrook. The Clippers had ambitions to touch the NBA throne for the past 5 years, but all plans have failed and they are gradually entering the final chapters of the Kawhi Leonard era.

If the Los Angeles Clippers do not play well in the first half of the 2024/25 season, they may consider trading away remaining stars like James Harden and Kawhi Leonard to thoroughly rebuild the squad. Harden is no longer as prolific as he was when he was the league’s MVP, but he has the ability to control the game quite well and has an impressive 3-point shooting ability.

Of course, if James Harden is used in the lineup, the Golden State Warriors will have to change their strategy, because their continuous running style of play without the ball is not suitable for a “ball-consuming” player like James Harden. However, combining Stephen Curry and James Harden is a prospect worth waiting for.

For the Golden State Warriors, they could bring the 2027 and 2028 draft picks to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a trade. Not to mention, Harden, Curry, and Green are all out of contract at around the same time, allowing them to rebuild after Stephen Curry retires.

SEE ALSO: When does the 2024/25 NBA season start? New season opening game schedule