Andrew Wiggins could be the leader for the next era of Warriors dominance
The Golden State Warriors may have a hangover period when it’s time for Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green to call it a career, or at least when they get to a point which they take a backseat.
The trio currently has the Warriors holding the second-best record in the NBA. The three stars are respectively 33, 32, and 31 years old. In just a few years, they’ll have to prepare for life without their three superstars, and it could be a team that’s led by players already on their roster.
The Golden State Warriors’ long-term plan to stay dominant in a competitive Western Conference could have Andrew Wiggins as its leader.
Obviously, when thinking of the Warriors’ long-term future, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Jordan Poole are the three that immediately come to mind, especially given the way all three have played this season.
However, it could be Andrew Wiggins that helps keep this team afloat without the Big 3.
Wiggins is just 26 years old. As with former teammates Zach LaVine and Karl-Anthony Towns, Wiggins has become an elite player. Wiggins was dubbed an All-Star for the first time this season, even being named an All-Star Game starter.
His athleticism defensively is a huge reason for his success. However, Wiggins’ efficiency was taken to the next level as well. He’s averaging a career-high percentage from both three-point range and from the field.
Coming out of Kansas as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Wiggins feels older than he is, playing in his eighth NBA season. Even for two-time MVP Stephen Curry, he didn’t peak until his seventh season in the league and has continued to play at that level.
Wiggins still has 4-5 more years of prime basketball left.
With Poole and Kuminga respectively in their third and first season in the league, Wiggins will soon be the premier veteran playmaker. Those three will be the new Big 3, and Wiggins will be the main hangover between the two groups.
He’s going to help usher in the next era of Warriors basketball, and having played at a high level this season, there should be hope that he can assume a larger role in the offense and keep his shooting where it is.
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If he can do that, the Warriors are going to set for the next half a decade to come.