Andrew Wiggin’s regression this past season didn’t help the Golden State Warriors extend Stephen Curry’s championship window. That’s why it’s imperative for the franchise to trade him as soon as possible.
Wiggins made waves when he was selected with the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers and traded right away to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2014 NBA Draft. Initially projected as an elite wing who can score and defend, the 6’7″ forward never really reached his true potential in the Twin Cities. During his six-season run there, he averaged 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
Wiggins was later traded to Golden State for a package headlined by D’Angelo Russell in 2020. Two years later, he was named to his first All-Star Game and became instrumental to the Warriors’ championship run in 2022. In the 22 games he played in that year’s postseason, the former number one pick averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest.
Unfortunately, that kind of performance didn’t last for a long time. In the 71 games he played during the previous season, Wiggins’ numbers went down to 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Add his hefty contract worth $109 million to the equation and the Warriors will have a harder time constructing a championship-worthy roster around Curry.
Golden State Warriors’ Proposed Trade To Unload Andrew Wiggins’ $109 Million Contract
The Dubs can move on from Wiggins in the offseason and get some value in return. In an article written by Zach Buckley for Bleacher Report, there is a way Golden State can make this happen.
“If the Dubs want to dial back their spending, then they’ll likely want out of Wiggins’ $26.2 million salary. This deal not only would save them some money—Olynyk and McDaniels will make a combined $17.5 million next season—but it could also widen the rotation with a stretch center (Olynyk) and a three-and-D swingman (McDaniels),” Buckley wrote.
Rather than trying hard to fit Wiggins in, they can get more production from both McDaniels and Olynyk in the lineup if they trade for them from the Toronto Raptors. The former can help improve the team’s defense, especially with forward Draymond Green getting old, and the latter is able to space the floor for Curry.
It remains to be seen how Golden State can resolve their predicament with Wiggins. In any case, the one-time All-Star wing may be on the move soon.
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