NBA Rumors: Warriors ‘hopeful’ Andrew Wiggins can return this season

NBA Rumors: The Golden State Warriors are reportedly hopeful that Andrew Wiggins can return at some point this season.

The Golden State Warriors may only have five regular season games remaining on its schedule but the team remains hopeful that Andrew Wiggins who return at some point this season (perhaps in the NBA Playoffs). Wiggins has been handling a private matter and has missed the last 20 games for the Warriors.

Over the last handful of seasons, Wiggins has emerged as one of the most important players for the Warriors. He played a key role for the team during their championship run last season and was well on his way to doing so again this year.

Before he left the team, Wiggins was averaging 17 points and five rebounds on 47 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. Whether you’re willing to believe it or not, Wiggins’ recent absence has certainly hurt the Warriors. If they were looking to make a late-season push up the Western Conference standings, all that was thrown out the window as a realistic scenario once it became apparent that Wiggins was going to be away from the team for an extended period.

However, if Wiggins does end up making a return at some point this season, it could potentially impact how dangerous the Warriors should be viewed heading into the playoffs.

Could Andrew Wiggins spark the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs?

Could Wiggins’ return end up being a case of too little too late for the defending champs? Absolutely. But if the Warriors are going to have any shot of making a really, really late-season run in the playoffs, the only way that can happen is with Wiggins back.

You can make the strong argument that Wiggins was the team’s second-best and most consistent player during the Warriors’ title run last season. Wiggins averaged 18 points and nine rebounds on 45 percent shooting in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics a year ago. In a crucial Game 5 victory, Wiggins finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds for the Warriors.

Heading into the final week and a half of the regular season, I think it’s only fair to keep a close eye on the potential that Wiggins could rejoin the Warriors. If he does, he could completely change the dynamic of the playoffs in the Western Conference.

If the Warriors are going to make any noise in the postseason, they need Wiggins. But right now, it’s far from a certainty that he will be back this season. At least there is a little hope that he will be, though.