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[Saba Sports News] The Golden State Warriors’ current struggles are being partly attributed to Andrew Wiggins’ underwhelming performance. After playing a pivotal role in their 2022 championship victory, Wiggins was seen as a key future asset for the team. However, his recent form has led the Warriors to consider trading him to salvage their season.
Tim Kawakami noted a shift in the Warriors’ stance, suggesting that trading Wiggins is now a viable option, especially if his compatibility with Jonathan Kuminga, envisioned as the full-time small forward, is in question. The Warriors aim to continue competing for titles with their core trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, but the supporting cast, including Wiggins, has failed to compensate for their collective decline.
Wiggins’ poor shooting and overall ineffective play have resulted in a drastic reduction in his playing time. His journey in the NBA started with high expectations as the first overall pick in the 2014 Draft and Rookie of the Year in 2015. Despite early promise, he didn’t fully live up to expectations and was traded to the Warriors after six seasons. In Golden State, he found his rhythm and became an integral part of their championship run. However, a hiatus last season, during which he missed 22 games, seemed to disrupt his momentum.
Since his return, his performance has dipped significantly, with averages dropping to 12.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks per game, leading to his recent benching in favor of rookie guard Brandin Podziemski. Wiggins has been coming off the bench in games since that decision.