The Warriors will have Andrew Wiggins come off the bench in their Thursday matchup against the Clippers, tweets The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Rookie forward Brandin Podziemski is taking over Wiggins’ spot in the starting five, with Jonathan Kuminga also starting in place of the suspended Draymond Green.
It’s unclear whether Wiggins’ move to the bench is temporary or if this is a longer-term move, but Charania’s wording makes it sound like the latter.
The Warriors entered Thursday at 10-13, 11th in the conference. It’s a disappointing start for a team with big aspirations, and it’s the culmination of suspensions, injuries and players – like Wiggins – having down seasons.
Wiggins is averaging 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.3 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting just 41.3% from the field and 27.9% from beyond the arc. These are substantial drop-offs for the former No. 1 overall pick, who averaged 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks last season on .473/.396/.611 shooting.
As The Athletic’s Anthony Slater observes (Twitter link), Thursday’s game marks Wiggins’ first career regular season game off the bench. He had previously started all 656 of his NBA appearances. His only career game as a reserve came in the postseason when he was returning from a prolonged absence last year.
Wiggins and Klay Thompson are both off to slow starts, contributing to Golden State’s lackluster season thus far. If the Warriors continue to disappoint, it’s possible another rotation switch involving Thompson, who is averaging his lowest scoring output since his rookie season, is on the horizon.
In Wiggins’ place, the Warriors are starting promising rookie Podziemski, who is averaging 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists this season. He’s shooting a scorching 44.2% from deep and is continuing to earn a bigger role with the organization, averaging 12.0 points and 7.2 rebounds over his past five games.
As of now, Golden State is starting Stephen Curry, Thompson, Podziemski, Kuminga and Kevon Looney, with Wiggins, Chris Paul, Moses Moody and Dario Saric among the top options off the bench.
he’s a maverick
Thompson and Wiggins have completely fallen off. The worst thing the Warriors can do is hang on to these guys because they feel like they owe them something.
With the new GM that’s less likely to happen. There’s less history and emotion so I think if the Warriors continue to stumble, moves will be made.
Trading CP3 for a draft pick and expiring contracts would be good for them. CP3 experiment is over he plays the wrong style of basket ball. He slows down the offense.
What a cop out, so easy to pick on Looney and then Wiggins. It’s time to bench Klay too and let the youngsters develop and play. They are screwing with Kuminga amd Moody psyche. One start here and there doesnt mean jack.
And it doesnt matter if Klay has great shooting night. He can do that off the bench!!
Wiseman rolling over in his sleep
lol. The warriors have turned into trash. Wiggins and Klay both struggling all year. Green acting like a knucklehead. It’s easy to sweep everything under the rug when u win. When u lose, the spiral downwards becomes out of control.
Wiggins was one of my favorite player the last few yrs. He was an underdod, worked hard, and huge success story at GS – All Star gm starter amd a Title. He was second best player on that team 2 yrs ago.
PROBLEM is he just doesnt have dawg in him. He’a happy being #3, #4, #5 on the team. He’s not even upset that he’s benched. Warriors are to blame for beng too nice with him last yr. This guy took a half yr off for personal problem last yr and he thought it was all good for him to not work hard in the offseason. He’s contract is also a big issue because he thinks he gave the team a major discount and it’s ok for him to take it easy subconsciously. This is the worst scenario for Warriors because Wiggins had to be that #2 guy for any chance to contend. NOW, Warriors must play Kuminga and Moody for any chance at yr end. I do not want to panic, but i think Wggins has to go. Dont forget he was another guy who didnt want to take a vaccine shot. I will still root for Wiggins, but pretty upset right now.
Wiggins to pistons for Bogdanovic…
Or Green for Bogdanovic
Paul and Santos for Bogdanovic, Hayes and Wiseman with picks*
They are all overpaid
Well that worked out well, Podz going 2-11 with 4 points and Harden to going off for 28/15/7. At least Chris Paul made up for Green being suspended with the cheap shot on Theis.
Dirty Paul
GSW has 4 overpaid players.
Luckily Chris Paul and Klay Thompson don’t have any guaranteed salary after this year.
Warriors have 3 First Round Picks and 3 2nd round picks. What could they get for any combination of their “three worst contracts” Klay, Green and Wiggins?
Other big contracts that are non-critical to their teams or could be expiring: Lebron James, Zach Lavine, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Ben Simmons, Siakam, Jrue Holiday, Zion Williamson, Gordon Hayward, Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Jordan Poole, Tyler Herro, Tobias Harris, James Harden, Kyle Kuzma, John Collins, Mike Conley, Terry Rozier, Malcolm Brogdon, Lonzo Ball, Spencer Dinwiddie, Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Harris, Buddy Hield, Fournier, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr, Vucevic, Markus Morris, Fultz, Kevin Porter, Davis Bertans, Bullock, McDermott,… (rest is 13 million or lower)
No obvious choices in that list. Maybe Joe Harris? Guess they should go for a few more tradeable contracts that also reduce their tax bill.
A rotting pumpkin
If all you’d be left with is an aging Curry, it might be time to face reality that the Warriors contention window is closed. Not sure it would be smart to burn their remaining future assets in another attempt to reload which, as you allude to, would come with some strings attached.
Of course, they will probably do just that and I get trying to surround Curry with veteran talent as long as he remains highly productive. Kinda hard not to, as I’m sure the fans would otherwise revolt. But this ship is taking on too much water and their aren’t enough assets to plug all the holes.
Trade Paul and Santos to Chicago for Vucevic and Alex Curuso (add in Wiggins and something if you want DeRozan) or to Utah for Jordan Clarkson Kelly O and picks or to Detroit for Bojan, Hayes and……. Wiseman with picks. Or just trade Paul and Santos for Harrison Barnes in a three team trade. Barnes can fill in for Green and has been a champion here before. You need to trade Paul to fix this mess
What does sac get for trading Barnes
What about a three team trade. GS trades Paul to Utah. Utah trades John Collins and two 2nds to Sacramento, kings trade Barnes and McGee to GS, Kessler Edwards to Utah?
Santos to the kings with two 2nds. So the kings get 4 2nds and Collins and Santos
Why would GSW give up that much for Barnes? Barnes is no better than what they have in Wiggins. GSW need a big man in the middle not more small forwards.
Paul, Santos and two 2nds is not much to give up. Barnes and McGee could fix this mess. GS has 5 PFs and there is no need for Paul. Plus this deal saves GS money too. This helps everyone
Barnes fills in for Green right now as well