SAN FRANCISCO – It was presumed for months that the Warriors wanted no part of Andrew Wiggins. That his poor shot selection, his questionable drive and his abominable defense simply could not be tolerated.
There are elements of truth to that. The absolute truth, however, is that they never would have invited Wiggins to the Bay Area unless he was bringing along desirable sweeteners. Plural.
The sweeteners materialized late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, after Warriors president/general manager Bob Myers reached out to the Timberwolves with what sources indicate was going to be his final trade-deadline pitch.
Both teams, according to sources, made the adjustments needed to complete the deal. The result was Wiggins – and two draft picks projected to be valuable – coming to the Warriors, with D’Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans and Omari Spellman going to Minnesota.
The Warriors were compelled to make the deal once the Timberwolves offered a top-three protected first-round pick in 2021 and also a second-round pick in 2022. If Minnesota finishes with a bottom-three record next season, the first-round pick rolls over to 2022 – without protections.
Wiggins was, in short, an enticing vehicle for the Warriors to get the picks they really wanted. He also might develop into the bridge that can get the Warriors to a player they really love.
First, though, is the matter of Wiggins with the Warriors. Whether he will flourish is open to question, but it quickly became evident that Russell does not, would not and probably cannot conform to the kind of basketball they want to play under coach Steve Kerr. No matter how he was coached or advised, D-Lo remained stubbornly ball-dominant on offense and consistently lethargic on defense.
Kerr wants an offense that relies largely on off-the-ball movement and smart, abundant passing that can demoralize a defense. Each player finds a place to fit, and then makes a living there. There is only one Stephen Curry, only one Klay Thompson and only one Draymond Green. All others must harmonize.
In that regard, Wiggins, a 6-foot-8 wing, is a better fit for the Warriors than the 6-4 Russell, whose scoring skills and general approach are better suited to the role of Sixth Man. Wiggins, who turns 25 this month, can play off the ball. He is longer (a 7-foot-wingspan) and is believed to be less resistant to change.
And, man, will he have to improve his defensive focus. That’s the biggest challenge for both parties. If Wiggins can’t, he’ll be pointed toward the same door though which D-Lo exited.
Kerr asks for effort and detailed engagement on defense. Greatness is not required, nor is enthusiasm, but there must be enough accountability to inspire confidence from teammates.
The Warriors came to the conclusion that D-Lo – exactly one year younger than Wiggins – was a failed experiment, which should not have been a surprise. They believe Wiggins is far more likely to conform. Russell was the headache that never went away, Wiggins the anticipated headache they don’t know but believe is capable of subsiding.
The Warriors studied their options and surely asked themselves whether they were better with a Curry-Green-Russell-Thompson nucleus, or with a Curry-Green-Thompson-Wiggins nucleus.
The latter is vastly superior, and only partly because all four are naturals at four different positions.
The Warriors are trusting their culture to do for Wiggins what it did not do for Russell. That is, to help him maximize his prodigious gifts. In fairness to D-Lo, Warriors culture is diminished without Curry, Thompson and Andre Iguodala, Thompson and Curry. Curry has not played since October. Thompson has not played since June and could miss the season. Iguodala has not been a Warrior since July 7.
So, the culture has to be rebuilt, to some degree. And it can be. Green is at the center of it, but Curry should return next month and get the benefit of a few weeks with Wiggins. It’s becoming more likely that Thompson won’t return until next season.
The Warriors did not acquire Russell simply to move him to another team. They brought him in because they wanted to evaluate him and then explore their options.
It’s no different with Wiggins. If the experiment fails, the Warriors will find a way out – and still have two treasured draft picks not previously available to them.
If it succeeds and Wiggins adapts, showing folks why he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2014, the Warriors will have added talent in a position that is at a premium in today’s game and also the sweeteners that, all along, were essential to the deal.
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