Golden State Warriors: 3 Lineup changes to consider

Golden State Warriors: Make Andrew Wiggins the Sixth Man

This one might seem drastic – but let’s keep in mind that one day soon, Klay Thompson is coming back. When he does, someone is getting bumped to the second unit. The decision will come down to either Andrew Wiggins or Kelly Oubre – and right now, I think Wiggins is the guy who needs to step down and embrace a role as the sixth man.

I know, Warriors fans have been loving the Andre Iguodala comparison for Oubre since he joined the team. Both lanky, athletic wings with high defensive-motors, the similarities are certainly there. However, Wiggins can fit that mold as well, with a similar build and all the potential in the world defensively.

Wiggins has been playing the most engaged ball of his life on defense. He’s near the league leaders in shots contested per game and is blocking a career-high 1.1 shots. Wiggins can elevate the Dubs’ defense from the bench and inject a much-needed scoring boost.

Most of all, a reduced role might be the best way to bring Wiggins out of this slump. For his entire career, Wiggins has struggled under the big lights. We’ve seen how being the second or third option on offense has helped him a bit so far – but maybe he’d be even better as a sixth man.

One thing is for sure, we won’t know unless the Dubs push him to the bench and give it a shot. While this runs the risk of hurting his confidence, there’s also the potential that he thrives in his new role and lays down the foundation for success once Thompson returns.