This was the deal which caught my eye at the trade deadline more than any other trade with the Warriors rightfully unloading D’Angelo Russell and in return acquiring Andrew Wiggins.
The Warriors stand 12-40 as I write and will be drafting in the lottery this off season. In a way—the manner in which this season of tanking unfolded for Golden State is probably a long term blessing as the core of Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green was able to rest their overworked bodies for the first time in the last six seasons as the Warriors had made five NBA Finals in a row.
The Warriors also rightfully got rid of Willie Cauley-Stein this week and now have a core in place for next season of Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green, Wiggins, Kevon Looney, and the lottery pick. It will be interesting to see GM Bob Myers rebuild his bench heading into next season as the Warriors if healthy should be a contender again. As far as the draft pick… I’m not sure, but the Warriors will need some rim protection and rebounding strength one would think, plus a couple of dependable wing scorers off the bench.
But back to Wiggins…will he be a new player in the Warriors’ championship culture now that’s he’s escaped from the losing culture in Minnesota?
I think he will be for several reason. Primarily—he doesn’t need to be a star. There’s no pressure for him to try and carry a team. His role in a sense should be like that of Harrison Barnes back in the day before Kevin Durant became a Warrior.
The best teams coach themselves from within as the Thunder are doing currently with Chris Paul leading the way in that regard. For the first time in Wiggins’ NBA career he’ll have a players’ coach in Steve Kerr and the tough love no nonsense championship peer influence from Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Steph Curry.
Here’s another thing as well, it won’t just be Andrew Wiggins who should be hungry with something to prove. The entire Warrior core will be hungry with something to prove as well as they seek to climb back into the top three of the West next season.
As far as the Thunder–I have to admit…for the first time this season the day after the trade deadline…I have a little bounce in my step as a blogger on my small Thunder blog. I love what Presti didn’t do yesterday…namely unload Gallinari from a team which has the best record in the NBA since December 1st while being 13-3 on the road in that span as well.
Sometimes you play a pair of kings and queens and see what happens.