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Andrew Wiggins must become a more volume scorer for the Golden State Warriors

By Nathan Beighle

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors controls the ball during a 117-91 Los Angeles Lakers win at Staples Center on February 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors controls the ball during a 117-91 Los Angeles Lakers win at Staples Center on February 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE. /
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Andrew Wiggins has become a more efficient scorer and a drastically improved defender during his time in the Bay. His next challenge will be to score more frequently for the Golden State Warriors, a team that desperately needs a second true threat.

Typically, Stephen Curry is running the court with Klay Thompson. Sadly, the five-time All-Star guard hasn’t taken the court since the 2019 NBA Finals in which he tore his ACL. He tore his Achilles while getting back into shape for the current season.

The Golden State Warriors can hang with some of the best teams in the NBA, but they’ll need a more aggressive Andrew Wiggins to do so.

There’s no denying the Golden State Warriors won the D’Angelo Russell-Andrew Wiggins trade. Although their protected pick may not convert this season, the Warriors gained a player that fits perfectly in their system.

While Wiggins hasn’t looked great all season, he has been a capable small forward. The best part of what Wiggins has been able to do is his improved efficiency on the offensive end. He’s shooting 2.4 percent better from the field and an absurd 6 percent better from downtown.

He’s averaging 18 points per game, shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 39.2 percent from deep.

The main problem is that with that increase comes a decrease in productivity. Wiggins is shooting less but making more. It sounds great, but for a team that needs him to be a primary scoring option, the combination of the two would be ideal.

Wiggins has played in the NBA for now seven seasons. Five and a half of those were spent with the Minnesota Timberwolves after he was traded by the Cavaliers on draft night. With the Wolves, his potential wasn’t unlocked, but it was because of his role.

Now, in Golden State, he’s finding his rhythm. The Warriors need more from him though. Wiggins’ career-high in scoring is 23.6 points per game. He’s scored over 20 points per game in three of his seven seasons as well.

When he’s scored over 20 points in a game this season, the Warriors are 9-6. Stephen Curry has been leading this offense almost single-handedly, and Wiggins has the ability to do more within the team’s sets.

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Asking him to step up is almost a must with Klay Thompson sidelined. If Wiggins can hover around that 22 points per game mark for the rest of the season, it’s not a question that Golden State can finish above .500.

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