Warriors' biggest midseason acquisition? The old Andrew Wiggins
The Golden State Warriors needed to add a player. They may just get a better version of an existing player.
Golden State was rumored to be shopping Andrew Wiggins, with one report suggesting he could be heading to the Milwaukee Bucks for Bobby Portis. Wednesday night, the Warriors were glad they have to this point kept the 2022 All-Star.
Wiggins had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the Warriors’ 127-104 road win against the Philadelphia 76ers. He looked like the player he was two years ago, when he served as Golden State’s second-best player on a title run. Wiggins played above the rim.
Against the 76ers, Wiggins hit two three-pointers, continuing an upward trend in a woeful shooting year. While Wiggins is only shooting 31.1% from deep on the season, he is 9-for-16 over his last six games.
Wiggins also played amazing defense on Wednesday, like when he stopped a three-on-one fast break. The Warriors have improved on the defensive end since Draymond Green returned as a full-time center, alongside Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga.
The problem with dealing Wiggins was that what the Warriors need most – athleticism, a second scorer next to Steph Curry, point-of-attack defense, rebounding - are all qualities that the best version of Wiggins provides.
Who knows why Wiggins struggled so much early in the season? The important thing is that he is turning things around just in time to convince the Warriors to keep him.
Which is good, because Wiggins doesn’t want to go anywhere.
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