Warriors bench former All-Star

It’s unclear whether the Wiggins move is temporary or if this is a longer term move, but Charania’s wording makes it sound like the latter. The Warriors entered Thursday at 10-13, 11th in the conference. It’s a disappointing start for a team with big aspirations, and it’s the culmination of suspensions, injuries and players having down seasons, like Wiggins is.

Wiggins is averaging 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.3 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting just 41.3% from the field and 27.9% from beyond the arc. These are substantial drop-offs from Wiggins, who averaged 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks last season on 47.3/39.6/61.1 splits.

As The Athletic’s Anthony Slater observes, Thursday’s game marks Wiggins’ first career regular season game off the bench. He had previously started all 656 of his NBA appearances. His only career game as a reserve came in the postseason when he was returning from a prolonged absence.

Wiggins and Klay Thompson both have had down years for the Warriors, leading to Golden State’s lackluster season thus far. If the Warriors continue to disappoint, it’s possible another rotation switch involving Thompson, who is averaging his lowest scoring output since his rookie season, is on the horizon.

In Wiggins’ place, the Warriors are starting promising rookie Podziemski, who is averaging 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists this season. He’s shooting a scorching 44.2% from deep this year and is continuing to earn a big role with the organization, averaging 12.0 points and 7.2 rebounds over his past five games.

As of now, Golden State is starting Stephen Curry, Thompson, Podziemski, Kuminga and Kevon Looney, with Wiggins, Chris Paul, Moses Moody and Dario Saric among top options off the bench.