At the All-Star break, the Golden State Warriors had the worst record in the NBA at 12-43. The standard term for a team that sits at the bottom of the NBA standings is rebuilding. Yet, the Warriors are in a different position.
After registering trips to the past five NBA Finals, the 2019-20 season looks like an outlier, despite Kevin Durant’s departure. Although signs point to the future for Golden State, the remainder of this season is critical for the team’s chances of returning to contention next year.
With expensive contracts on the books, it’s essential to find players from the current roster who can fit in next to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green next season. The second half of the season will be an evaluation process for Golden State decision-makers.
The newest Warrior may be the most important piece to the puzzle. Finding out who Andrew Wiggins is and where he fits with the Warriors once Curry is healthy are questions that will linger throughout the final games of the season.
Here are three things to watch with Wiggins for the remainder of the 2019-20 season:
Consistency
Wiggins has passed every test since being moved from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Warriors in a blockbuster deal on trade deadline day. The former first overall pick has impressed in his first three games in Golden State, but is it sustainable?
Wiggins has struggled with consistency over his career, but in Golden State, he will serve a different role. After being named Rookie of The Year in 2015, Wiggins was a focal point in Minnesota. With the Warriors surrounded by Curry, Thompson and Green, Wiggins will play a more centralized role.
With Wiggins’ workload tapered in Golden State, consistency from game-to-game should be the focus. With eyeballs glued to Curry and Thompson, Wiggins should have an advantage in a subtle role.
Chemistry with Curry
While finding ways to mesh with a healthy Curry is vital for every new member of the Warriors, but for Wiggins, it’s crucial. Reports indicate Curry will return from his broken hand injury in March, giving him around 20 games with Wiggins.
Wiggins alongside Curry in the starting lineup will give Golden State their best glimpse of what the future could look like next season. Wiggins has played with All-Star caliber talents like Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns, but the gravity Curry pulls is unlike anything in the NBA.
How Wiggins takes advantage of the spacing Curry creates will be something to monitor until the season ends.
Defense
Somewhat of a surprise since being traded to the Warriors has been Wiggins’ ability on the defensive end of the floor. In three games in Golden State, Wiggins already has new career highs in both blocks and steals.
Steve Kerr has praised the flexibility Wiggins has brought defensively. Wiggins has locked up with Devin Booker and LeBron James in his new stint with the Warriors.
For the rest of the season, Wiggins will get more opportunities to tangle with Golden State’s opponent’s best wing option. Adding a former Defensive Player of the Year in Green next to Wiggins as he continues to develop could give Golden State a formidable duo.