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I noticed `name` is different in `outputs` and `inputs` in the json state file. If I make them congruent, Pulumi doesn’t want to replace this resource anymore. I am not sure what broke these `name` in the state. Could have been updates to Pulumi and GCP provider. :woman-shrugging::skin-tone-2:

As you figured out, `name` is the reason that the replacement was suggested. To answer your original question: if an attribute changes in your preview, and if that attribute has the recycle icon in the registry docs, then a replace is required.
For example, in this case, the docs are here: <https://www.pulumi.com/registry/packages/gcp/api-docs/compute/address/#properties>
And `name` has the recycle icon:

<@U012UJTT55M> The thing is the `name` didn’t change in GCP. For some reasons they regenerated in `inputs` of the state.

Yes, I can't answer that part. It has happened to me in the past too. Generally, `pulumi refresh` eventually fixes it, but the effort involved is significant. I generally associate this with changing providers, but I have no proof.