How the return of Andrew Wiggins will impact the Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are expected to have Andrew Wiggins back at some point this week, and his return couldn’t come at a better time.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Wiggins is nearing a return to the team after a 22-game absence. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Wiggins has been away from the team so that he could tend to his father, Mitchell Wiggins, who is dealing with a serious medical situation. The particulars were kept under wraps by all parties involved, which led to some flagrantly inaccurate rumors. Yesterday’s news puts all speculation to rest and the Warriors organization deserves credit for handling this situation with the appropriate delicacy.

As the Golden State Warriors gear up for a postseason run, the return of Andrew Wiggins will provide a much-needed two-way boost.

It’s been nearly two months since Wiggins has suited up for the Dubs and his absence has left more than a few holes to be filled. The All-Star wing is a versatile offensive weapon and an outstanding perimeter defender. He provides a steady two-way attack, exhibiting little weakness in his overall game.

Offensively, Wiggins’ raw talent suggests that he could be a viable first option elsewhere, but within the Warriors’ high-powered system, the veteran forward simply does what’s needed of him. At 6’7 195 lbs, Wiggins wields both the size and speed to impact the game in a myriad of ways. Off the ball, he is a reliable floor-spacer who uses his handle and physicality to punish lazy closeouts. Wiggins is a capable three-level scorer, whose self-creation chops render him a “safety valve” during sputtering offensive possessions.

Averaging over 19 points per game for his career, Wiggins is a proven offensive talent, but it’s his impact on the other end of the floor that makes him so valuable. Wiggins is the prototypical wing in today’s NBA, equipped with both the athleticism and agility to defend multiple positions.

Without Wiggins in the lineup, the Warriors’ defense has been continuously exploited, and their chief concerns boil down to personnel. Draymond Green is a generational defensive anchor, but he can only do so much to compensate for the deficiencies out on the perimeter. Klay Thompson has lost a step laterally, and Stephen Curry lacks the size to consistently contain bigger guards. Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga can each defend across positions but are restricted offensively, which limits how often they see the floor. Wiggins bridges the gap, as both a dynamic defender and a reliable offensive option.

Discipline, or lack thereof, has been a thorn in the Warriors’ side this season. The group has had the tendency to overhelp on drives all year long, and teams are making them pay from beyond the arc. Per NBA.com, Opponents are shooting 36.6% from three against the Warriors which ranks 20th in the league.

Wiggins’ return will be of aid in that regard. He is a fundamentally sound defender who stays attached to his man and rarely leaves his feet. With a 7’0 wingspan, Wiggins can obstruct passing lanes by just having his arms outstretched, and he doesn’t have to work as hard to contest shots. His ability to navigate screens and pester ball handlers will take some pressure off Green and Kevon Looney as the last line of defense.

The Warriors usual starting five — Curry, Thompson, Wiggins, Green, and Looney, haven’t taken the court together since February 4th. It’s easy to forget that the same starting five has the best net rating of any five-man lineup that has played at least 400 possessions, per Cleaning The Glass.

It will take some time to re-insert Wiggins into the lineup after some time away from the team, but his return means the Warriors are whole again. Despite what their record may indicate, this team has the juice to repeat as champions. Golden State will have experience on their side, and their nine-man playoff rotation stacks up against the league’s very best. It’ll be on the Warriors to maintain the focus level that we’ve come to expect of them.