The Warriors may be forced to rely on Wiggins, Oubre Jr. for scoring

The Golden State Warriors have an immense amount of potential on their roster, and they may be forced to rely on them more than they think.

Heading into this offseason, the Golden State Warriors looked to start their rebound to once again becoming one of the best teams in the NBA. Their 15-win season has made the NBA forget the absolute dominance they’ve had over the last half a decade.

They’ll be getting back to that level but not all the way back. Stephen Curry, who played just five games last season, will return healthy, but Klay Thompson, after tearing his ACL in the 2019 NBA Finals, ruptured his Achilles just a few ago.

The Warriors made moves to ensure that they’ll be fine and able to compete, but they will be forced to rely on players to get there.

Everyone knows what Curry will give. Draymond Green and Marquese Chriss have limited ceilings unless the former can figure out how to shoot from deep again.

However, last year’s midseason addition and one of the team’s 2020 offseason addition will be given an opportunity to shine, and both parties will be doomed if they fail. Those two players are former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins and shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr.

Wiggins, who was part of the D’Angelo Russell trade last season, averaged 19.4 points per game with the Warriors in just 12 starts. Throughout his six years in the league, he’s notched over 20 points per game three times.

With an increasing three-point percentage that topped at a career-high 35.6 percent a few seasons ago, Wiggins should be able to help space the floor as well. His defense, which has been called into question, will be another story, as will his shot selection.

Wiggins needs the Warriors development system, which has proven to help players like Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III thrive, and the Warriors need him to figure out how to be more efficient as a scorer.

Drafted a season later, Oubre Jr. was selected just outside the lottery, and after three and a half seasons in the nation’s capital, he was sent to the Suns. Oubre became a much better scorer, showcasing his untapped potential.

In Phoenix, he averaged 18.7 points per game. He also shot over 35 percent from deep and over 45 percent from the field, both career-highs. The Warriors will need him to step up in a big way on both sides of the court if they’re going to take some pressure off Stephen Curry.

The Warriors are banking on both Oubre Jr. and Wiggins taking the next step, and given their culture, I’d bet on that too.