ESPN ranks Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins as 77th-best NBA player

Per the usual offseason, ESPN is breaking out their ranking of the top 100 players in the NBA. With 51-100 having been released, we have just one Warriors player on the list, forward Andrew Wiggins.

At least two-time MVP Stephen Curry and three-time All-Star Draymond Green have yet to be named. With Klay Thompson having missed the last two seasons and set to miss, at the very least, the first month of the season, it’s unknown if he’ll crack the top 100.

The Golden State Warriors have one player currently ranked in the top 100 with more undoubtedly set to appear on ESPN rankings.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks came right before Wiggins at No. 78 with No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham coming right after Wiggins at No. 76. That said, the ranking is certainly justified.

Here’s what ESPN, who did a paragraph on each player listed, said on the Warriors two-way stud.

"“One big question: Can Wiggins replicate his two-way effort again for the Warriors? One of the biggest knocks on Wiggins after being acquired by the Warriors was whether he would provide the consistent effort on both ends of the floor that wasn’t always apparent during his time with the Timberwolves. ‘Two-Way Wiggs’ answered that question in his first full season with the Warriors — drawing praise from coaches and teammates for his ability to change the game on the defensive end,” ESPN’s Nick Friedell wrote."

The Warriors originally added Wiggins by trading the Minnesota Timberwolves D’Angelo Russell. Wiggins was thought to have a negative impact on any franchise given his contract size compared to his production.

While that might have been the case in Minnesota, Wiggins has certainly stepped up. Now, it’s still a conversation whether he’s worth his outrageous contract. The former No. 1 overall pick will be owed more than $31.5 million next season.

Wiggins had arguably the best season of his career with the Warriors last season.

While his 18.6 points per game weren’t the most of his career, he did shoot a career-high 47.7 percent from the field and 38 percent from deep. He also transitioned into a much better defensive player within the Warriors system.

Wiggins will have a huge role on the roster this season. The star-studded five-man lineup of Curry, Thompson, Wiggins, Green, and Wiseman should be able to compete with some of the best rosters in the NBA.

For just the second time in his career, Wiggins’ team was better with him on the court last season. While having Curry does matter, Wiggins has found a home within this franchise, and with an organization that believes in him, he should be able to continue to thrive.

No. 77 is a pretty good spot for Wiggins as players with higher upside will undoubtedly top him. That said, stay tuned for the update on where Curry, Green, and potentially Thompson are ranked.