Golden State Warriors: Andrew Wiggins is quietly showing progress
Andrew Wiggins is growing into himself with the Golden State Warriors
Initially, when it was reported that the Golden State Warriors were acquiring Andrew Wiggins from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, many scoffed at the deal. Almost one year to the day, there are clear signs that Wiggins is making progress during his first full season with the club.
While he may not be scoring more, in a reduced role after the return of Stephen Curry, Wiggins has certainly been more efficient this season. In fact, you can make the argument that he’s on pace to finish with the best shooting season of his career.
Through the first quarter of the season, Wiggins is 18 points and five rebounds per game on 47 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range – both career highs. He’s also made strides on the defensive end and is averaging 1.5 blocks per game (also a career-high).
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What does Andrew Wiggin’ future hold with the Golden State Warriors?
It’s clear that Wiggins is playing a role that he’s more comfortable in Golden State. He’s not asked to run the offense and doesn’t have the high expectations that he carried in Minnesota. In a way, Wiggins is feeding off the solid foundation of a franchise that has won on the highest stage multiple times over the last few seasons.
Learning from the Curry, Draymond Green, and Steve Kerr, among others, has to feel like playing in an entirely different league compared to the lack of competence that he had to play with in Minnesota – no offense to the Wolves, they simply aren’t at the same point in their rebuild as the Warriors are.
Wiggins still has two years on his contract after this season and Joe Lacob already said he’d be surprised if Wiggins wasn’t on the roster next season. In other words, he doesn’t foresee Wiggins being traded. Quite frankly, it would be surprising.
Wiggins is due $64 million over the next two years and would be shocked if there’s a team out there that would be willing to take on that money this year. Perhaps after next year, that’s a different conversation considering he’d be an expiring deal.
For now, at least, it appears that Wiggins will stay put. And he’ll play a role for the Warriors, especially if they hope on making the playoffs this season and potentially reemerging as a championship contender next season (with the return of Klay Thompson).
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The good news is that it appears Andrew Wiggins has found a healthy culture, comfort with his role, and promise with the Golden State Warriors. He’s already made strides in his game in just one year. And at just 25 years of age, you can’t help but wonder how much more he can grow as a player next to a player as great as Stephen Curry.