Andrew Wiggins
Prior to the 2020 trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors made a splash trade. The blockbuster trade of the deadline involved D’Angelo Russell and Andrew Wiggins.
The Dubs brought in Wiggins along with a 2021 first-round pick. Although it’s protected, the Warriors certainly didn’t see Russell fitting into their system well with a healthy Thompson and Curry.
As for Wiggins, he was brought in to fill a Harrison Barnes, Kevin Durant-like role. He needs to shoot well and score efficiently. During his mere 12 games with Golden State, he averaged 19.4 points per game on 46% from the field and 34% from deep.
Those are solid, but he could’ve used the time to better familiarize himself with the Dubs system and become the star the team will eventually need him to be. He was playing well in Minnesota and the Warriors hope he can replicate that success next season.
The former No. 1 overall pick is typically criticized for his lack of defensive intensity, something he could also prove can change on a team that’s playoff-bound like Golden State should be next year. He had several reasons to want a few more games with head coach Steve Kerr.
At the end of the day, who knows if a second bubble will be approved, and while the Golden State Warriors are the franchise that needs it the least, these four players could certainly benefit from it.