Warriors’ Steve Kerr Expects ‘Big Year’ from Andrew Wiggins After Klay Thompson Exit

Zach BacharContributor ISeptember 27, 2024

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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has high expectations for Andrew Wiggins ahead of the 2024-25 season.

“He looks physically really fit,” he added. “Just speaking with him, he sounds very motivated.”

Wiggins failed to exceed expectations last season, averaging a career-low 13.2 points per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from behind the arc. He was briefly removed from Golden State’s starting lineup in the middle of the year, coming off the bench in 12 of his 71 appearances.

NBA @NBASteph ➡️ Dray ↗️ Wiggins

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His preparation entering his 2023-24 campaign didn’t appear to be adequate, as Andrews reported in Nov. 2023 that “his lack of physical conditioning annoyed some within the organization.”

Wiggins has become an important part of Golden State’s starting lineup since he was acquired in a Feb. 2020 trade. His two-way impact allowed him to guard opponents’ top wing scorers while spacing the floor for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

He earned an All-Star nod in 2022, helping the Warriors take down the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Wiggins will need to thrive in an expanded role if Golden State wants to improve upon a play-in tournament exit, as Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade agreement during the offseason.

While Thompson is also coming off an underwhelming season with the Warriors, he still averaged 17.9 points per game on 43.2/38.7/92.7 shooting splits.

As Wiggins looks to return to form, he already has the confidence of Kerr.