The lofty expectations that fell upon Andrew Wiggins when he was the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 were what comes with the territory when you are viewed as the top player in the country.
Wiggins, hailing from Canada, played prep ball at Huntington Prep in West Virginia, and then went on to play a year at Kansas under Bill Self. Wiggins was viewed as one of the next great NBA stars, touted as someone who could carry the mantle into the future.
The lofty expectations have led, for most, to letdown and disappointment, as the 2015 Rookie of the Year hasn't blossomed into the star that people had thought. This season, he got off to a start that had him poised for his first All-Star appearance, averaging 25.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists through the first 11 games. He has scored over 30 points seven times, and is averaging, at 22.7, his highest point per game total in four seasons. He's also averaging a career-high 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
But the Timberwolves are the most disappointing team in the league through the trade deadline - it took them until December 26 to get a win in that month, and have currently lost 13 straight games - and that is why they sensed a need for a change, as they sent Wiggins to Golden State. Giving up on the Wiggins/Karl-Anthony Towns pairing, they received Towns' good friend D'Angelo Russell in return.
Wiggins is still just 24, and will turn 25 in a few days. The expectations on him are fair, as is some of the scrutiny, but I think the change of scenery will only benefit him, as he looks to slowly quiet his critics.
He moves to a team now where - for the rest of this season unless Steph Curry comes back - he will be the number one option. He will be able to show what he can do in a total game, show how he can lead, how multi-faceted he is and can be. He'll be playing for a team that has spent the last five years representing the Western Conference in the NBA Finals, fresh with playoff experience. Rather than play with fellow young players, he'll play with title-toting guys like Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. For a guy who is thought to be too relaxed, Green should be able to kick Wiggins into high gear. He'll also play for a front office with Owner Joe Lacob and General Manager Bob Myers that has been all about winning. Steve Kerr, his coach, also has championship experience as player, too.
Wiggins will have to change his game a bit in order to be a prime fit along Curry and Thompson. While this season he will get the majority of the shots, that will change next year as the healthy tandem of Curry and Thompson gets back into things. Wiggins will become the third option offensively, and will have to adapt accordingly. He'll need to be a stout defender and shooter, doing some of the things that Kevin Durant was able to do in his time with the Warriors - be able to knock down shots, and defend at a solid level. Obviously, he won't be to the level of Durant, but he'll have to fill a similar role.
Wiggins has a large contract - 3 years and roughly $94 million left on his deal after this season - but his deal basically coincides with the ones of Green, Curry, and Thompson (Green has a player option for 2023-24, the season after Wiggins becomes a free agent, Thompson is signed through 2023-24, and Curry's deal expires after 2021-22). In my view, the Warriors made this deal because Wiggins is a better roster fit than Russell, and because they figure he's a very talented player who could thrive in their environment.
For the Warriors, it's getting a talent that fits them, and, for Wiggins, it's a new beginning.
One that should be good for him.
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