The Golden State Warriors are reportedly exploring the possibility of trading Andrew Wiggins in an effort to address the discord arising from his on-court partnership with Jonathan Kuminga. NBA insider Marc Stein shared insights on the #thisleague Uncut podcast, revealing that there’s a growing anticipation among other teams that the Warriors are open to parting ways with Wiggins.
Andrew Wiggins, in particular, has faced criticism for his underwhelming performance, averaging just 11.9 points per game while shooting 29.7 percent from three-point range in 32 appearances this season. The Warriors, with an eye on improving team dynamics and performance, are reportedly becoming “increasingly open” to the idea of trading Wiggins.
The unease between Wiggins and Kuminga became apparent after a game against the Denver Nuggets on January 4. Despite Kuminga’s commendable performance, scoring 16 points on 5-7 shooting, he found himself on the bench for just 19 minutes and was benched for the entire fourth quarter. This led to reports that Kuminga had “lost faith” in head coach Steve Kerr due to perceived inadequate playing time.
In an attempt to address the situation, Kerr and Kuminga had a meeting, which seemingly provided clarity and improved understanding. Kuminga expressed his comfort with the open communication channels, stating that any concerns can be addressed directly with the coach.
However, the struggle persists on the court, as the Wiggins-Kuminga wing pairing has not produced the desired results for the Warriors. Their net rating of -20.6 is the team’s worst among duos playing at least 25 minutes together this season.
As the trade deadline approaches on February 8, the Warriors may look to make moves to enhance their roster, potentially involving the trade of Andrew Wiggins to accommodate a more prominent role for Jonathan Kuminga.
Andrew Wiggins Has Not Lived Up To His $109 Million Contract
Andrew Wiggins’ performance with the Golden State Warriors has failed to live up to the expectations that accompanied his hefty $109 million contract extension. When Wiggins received the contract extension, it followed his notable contributions during the team’s playoff run, particularly showcasing his defensive prowess by limiting star players like Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum in the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals, respectively.
Despite the Warriors’ willingness to invest significantly, both Wiggins and Jordan Poole, who received a $128 million extension, have faced challenges in justifying their contracts. Jordan Poole encountered chemistry issues with Draymond Green, leading to his eventual trade to the Wizards for team stability. Wiggins, on the other hand, struggled with inconsistent performances.
In the previous season, Wiggins missed 22 games for personal reasons but managed to post decent averages of 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. However, this season has been marked by a significant dip in Wiggins’ production, with dismal averages of 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. His shooting percentages have also taken a hit, dropping to 42.2% from the field and 29.7% from beyond the arc.
As the Warriors seek to improve their roster dynamics, it appears that Wiggins might be the player on the move. The initial promise that led to his lucrative contract extension has not materialized into the consistent and impactful performance expected, raising questions about the value of the investment made by the Golden State Warriors in Andrew Wiggins.
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