Stephen Curry’s return is imminent and, when it comes, there’s one player that will benefit from the guard’s tremendous talent more than any other: Andrew Wiggins.
The former first overall pick has averaged 19.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three-point range since joining the Golden State Warriors, with averages of 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from three-point range this season.
As Golden State’s most talented perimeter player with Curry and Klay Thompson out, Wiggins is attracting more attention than any other when he has the ball in his hands. Although he’s performed admirably, even surprisingly well since joining the Warriors, there are many instances when the amount of defensive pressure he’s facing — which, at times, includes double-teams, has the expected effect on his ability to dominate offensively.
When Curry steps onto the court, that defensive attention will lessen and Wiggins will be afforded more one-on-one opportunities; scoring opportunities that Wiggins often capitalizes on. Furthermore, as the gravity that Curry has extends far past the three-point line, Wiggins will be given more space on the court to utilize his abilities as a slasher.
That should only improve Wiggins’ efficiency (and perhaps give him more scoring opportunities).
With the highest offensive rating (110), true shooting percentage (58.2), offensive box plus-minus (2.1), box plus-minus (1.4) and win shares per 48 (.091) coming in his time with Golden State, one can surmise that the Warriors’ motion offense, championship culture and the lack of strain that’s come from being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves has only benefited Wiggins.
It only stands to reason that when Curry steps foot on the court, everything will become easier for him.
Curry’s ability to facilitate — when compared to guards like Jordan Poole and Ky Bowman — will also factor into Wiggins being able to score more easily.
Whether it’s through set plays like a high pick-and-roll or Wiggins capitalizing on the Warriors — or his own — off-ball movement, he’ll be able to get started towards the rim with a head of steam to utilize his touch and grace in the paint.
Just as Kevin Durant has his most efficient seasons of his career coming along with having more of his two-point field goals assisted on at any point of his career (48.8 with the Oklahoma City Thunder/Seattle SuperSonics, compared to 50.4 percent with the Warriors), so too will Wiggins benefit from a team that constantly and consistently seeks to set them up for easy scores.
Already, Wiggins is shooting career-highs from the field and two-point range (50.8 percent) while with Golden State. He’s been assisted on 67.7 percent of his two-point field goals already, after never having been assisted on more than 51.0 percent of his two-point goals before.
At this point, you can only imagine how Wiggins will benefit from the Warriors being at full power.