The Golden State Warriors are 12-2, and while Stephen Curry may be the unanimous leader of this team, there have been hefty contributions from several other players.
Draymond Green has been phenomenal this season, especially in the team’s last game against the Brooklyn Nets. Aside from those two, no player has been more impressive and consistent than former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins.
The Golden State Warriors, almost two years later, have won the Andrew Wiggins trade as the forward continues to have career years in the Bay.
Wiggins was drafted as the top overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers and immediately traded to Minnesota for Kevin Love. That was back in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Once he was given a max-level contract, Wiggins was immediately seen as having one of the worst, most player-friendly deals in the league. That’s why the Wolves paid several first-round picks and took on D’Angelo Russell for him.
The Warriors picked up Wiggins, and while most fans weren’t overly impressed with the move, he’s transcended this roster. Wiggins had a career year in terms of efficiency last season, and he’s taking his shooting to yet another level.
Wiggins, while just averaging 18.1 points per game, the third-lowest amount of his career, is shooting over 48% from the field, the highest of his career.
The Warriors would much rather an efficient Wiggins than a production-based Wiggins. He doesn’t need to notch 25 per game as he did in Minnesota. With Curry, Green, and Jordan Poole all helping ease the scoring load, Wiggins is taking and making good shots.
He’s shooting 56.5% from two-point range and over 79% from the free-throw line, both career highs.
Wiggins turnovers are at a career-low rate as well. While he’s also averaging under 30 minutes per game for the first time in his career, that’s also partially because the Warriors have had so many great team performances.
The Warriors are just playing at another level, even downing the preseason title favorites by 18 on Tuesday night. Wiggins is a huge part of why they’ve been able to elevate their game.
Given his impact and efficiency, this should easily be considered the best season of his seven-year career.