Speaking to the media about Andrew Wiggins’ potential role with the Golden State Warriors after the team made what was one of, if not the most surprising swaps ahead of NBA trade deadline, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr sought to alleviate concern that the six-year NBA veteran wouldn’t be able to play up to the lofty expectations the former first overall pick has faced throughout his career.
Interestingly, the reason that Kerr and Golden State aren’t worried that Wiggins will fail is because the Warriors aren’t asking him to play like a star. Instead, they want him to play a role.
“Minnesota needed him to be a star,” says Kerr. “And we’re not asking him to be a star. We’re asking him to play a role on a team that already has some star players.”
Steve Kerr on Andrew Wiggins: “Minnesota needed him to be a star. And we’re not asking him to be a star. We’re asking him to play a role on a team that already has some star players.”
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) February 7, 2020
Those words are sure to bring out the hecklers considering Wiggins’ draft position and his five-year, $147.7 million contract.
However, Wiggins’ trade — as newsworthy as it was — was never one that was supposed to put him in position to be a first or second option on a healthy Warriors team.
It wasn’t the case of a player like Kevin Durant, long considered a top-three player in the league, leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with Golden State. Wiggins, a naturally talented player but one whose focus, effort and decision-making have been questioned throughout his career has never been thought of as a top-three player. Not even a top-25 player.
It’s indisputable that Warriors superstars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are superior players and would be seen as the team’s first and second options. That said, the role that Wiggins — with a career average of 19.7 points per game and three seasons scoring at least 20.0 points per game — could play without a shadow of a doubt is that of a scorer.
With Draymond Green operating as a versatile defender and point forward, all Wiggins has to focus on is scoring (although the team will expect better decision-making, a constant willingness to pass and to defend). When Golden State makes their selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, all it guaranteed to be a high lottery pick, they can search for the player who will be a replacement for the departed Andre Iguodala (who has won an NBA Finals MVP with the Warriors).
Wiggins is far from a perfect player but a change of environment (heading to the vibrant Bay Area) with a championship culture and teammates that breathe with competitive fire should do wonders for him.
Steve Kerr on KNBR yesterday when discussing Andrew Wiggins: “Draymond will definitely be in his ear, in a positive way and in a motivational way as well.” You think?! 😂
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) February 7, 2020
However, the team is right not to expect too much from him, no matter what the perception of Wiggins is or may become in the future.