The Warriors are banking on Andrew Wiggins playing at an All-Star level, as ESPN’s Kendra Andrews details. Golden State knows it needs Wiggins’ proven production with the departure of Klay Thompson.
Wiggins missed a chunk of last season due to personal reasons.
“I want to do right by them,” Wiggins said. “It feels so good when they have that confidence in you, when they have that high praise. You want to show up for them.”
Wiggins heads into Monday’s game against the Wizards — he’s listed as probable with a low back strain — with averages of 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He still has two years left, including a player option, on his four-year, $109MM contract after this season.
“I think he’s in a place where he knows the last couple years have been tough for a lot of reasons and I think he’s primed to get back to where he was a couple years ago,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s at the age where he’s right in his physical prime, and we’ve seen him do it. He helped us win a championship. I’m expecting a big year from Wiggs.”
We have more on the Warriors:
- With Stephen Curry sidelined by an ankle sprain the last three games, Brandin Podziemski has gotten a greater opportunity to show his play-making skills, Anthony Slater of The Athletic notes. He has averaged 14.7 points and six assists during that span.
- Jonathan Kuminga has been a sparkplug since Kerr moved him to the bench the past three games, Slater adds. He scored 23 points in 26 minutes against Houston in Saturday’s overtime win. He’s averaging 18.7 points on 51.4% shooting as a reserve. “I don’t want him to love coming off the bench,” Draymond Green said. “He believes he’s a superstar. I believe he’s a superstar. As long as you believe that, you shouldn’t be OK coming off the bench. How you respond is important.” Kuminga will be a restricted free agent next summer after failing to reach a rookie scale extension agreement prior to last month’s deadline.
- The incentives in Moses Moody‘s extension begins at $462,093 in 2025/26 and increase by the maximum allowable 8% a year, according to The Athletic’s John Hollinger. The incentives pay out if Moody plays at least 1,600 minutes, attempts at least nine 3-pointers per 100 possessions, and achieves at least 60% true shooting. Since the extension begins next season, the only impact of Moody hitting all three of those marks this season would be whether the incentives are considered “likely” or “unlikely” for his 2025/26 cap number. If it is deemed “likely,” his cap hit goes from $11,574,075 to $12,037,038. Moody signed his three-year, $37.5MM extension on Oct. 21.
- Curry returned to the lineup on Monday. Kerr announced prior to the game that his star guard was available, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN tweets.
Hey another Warriors Moody Podski Wiggins Curry article. Probably be 25 or 30 comments. They know what they’re doing here at HoopsRumors.
Let’s see if I can come up with 8 or 10 things to say. Won’t be hard, you know how I am LOL
I was going to say the same. Where’s Davey J?
Give it a hot minute and Babey J will post something outrageously copium itll blow your minds
@Tantan name anything I have ever written thats copium. Literally everything I have predicted on here has come true.
Hey Gary, every time Moody plays more mins than Buddy I laugh VERY hard. Thanks!!!
Sitting in Bay Area traffic I’m sure lol. Give him an hour and he and I will have another 10 comments EACH, dependingon how this Monday night game goes. Going to be fun, stick around.
Moody !! Podski !! Moody !! Podski !! Kuminga !!
Gary, Hoops rumors should pay us for driving viewers to the GSW pages, haha!
I didnt love blowing a 30 point lead in the exact same way Kerr always blows huge point leads, but I still love this roster! Game time baby, LETS DO DUB NATION!
At least you can recognize your role as the clown Davey. Thats progress!
Nahhh, rush hour was 4 hours ago in Lexington Kentucky and 9 hours ago in the United Kingdom.
Taco, Excellent memory !! Made me laugh and thank you for that, and you know what I’m talking about.
Whether Jonathan Kuminga comes off the bench or not won’t factor into his payday.
Teams know talent and that’s the bottom line. Look at Devin Booker. Drafted in the first round and he wasn’t even a starter on his college team. Talent and performance and some numbers get noticed whether a starter or coming off the bench.
It’s the egos that drive starter status that Draymond is talking about. We don’t need egos and we don’t need no Carmelo’s “sacrificing no bench roles.” JK is doing it right and doing what’s best for the team. Kudos to him for that !!
The media is making a bigger deal about Kuminga off the n bench than anything else. He is still getting his minutes and playing at crucial times.
But Kuminga wants it max, and he knows max contract and bench are concepts that dont mesh well
Havlicek, usually yes but I think with a young guy on a good, deep team an exception will be made, and has been made in the past.., (I think lol.)
I believe as a restricted free agent next summer there will be plenty of suitors for JK whether he’s a starter or comes off the bench.
In fact I think coming off the bench shows his outstanding character and that counts for something when giving out millions of dollars in my opinion. I think GM’s feel the same way.
But that’s just a wild guess. What you’re saying here above is the standard for sure.
Kuminga’s coming off the bench might have something more to do with injuries and matchups.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx said:
> Whether Jonathan Kuminga comes off the bench
> or not won’t factor into his payday.
Sorry, this leads, best case, to the end of a long-term relationship with Kuminga. He’ll unhappily sign a 1-2 year deal in June, looking forward to moving to another team that appreciates him. While Kuminga is acting “professional”, his agent has another card to play.
You don’t turn down $30M/$150M to not start and play only 22 mpg. Kuminga did that on the assumption he’d have a chance to play starter minutes. (FYI, Kerr doesn’t see Kuminga as, even, a 6th man — more like 8th or 9th.)
This isn’t the college draft. Teams don’t give $40M contracts to 5th year players that haven’t PROVEN they can play more than 22 minutes per game.
Listen to Draymond talk post-game about how important it is for Kuminga not to get stuck in the role of coming off the bench. Draymond knows what’s up. There is a ton of tension. If not resolved soon, a trade is likely.
Everything you say is true but if they match this summer then Wiggins will be gone in one year and Kuminga will be the small forward of the future, or next 2-3 years at least.
Huh? Kuminga had the 3rd most minutes tonight. He is averaging 23 a night. You don’t give that many minutes to a player you hate and view as a 9th option. Most of the Warriors aren’t getting more than 25 mpg. Kerr has said he wants more outside shooting from Kuminga.
Giants74 , the fact Kuminga is playing 23 minutes per game is exactly the point. NBA starters play over 32 minutes per game, which JK assumed was his role when he turned down in his contract. 23 mpg virtually guarantees he’ made a mistake “betting on himself.”
This is the 3rd time you’ve indicated that I said Kuminga “hates” Kerr. I’ve never used that word. But, as Draymond said again yesterday, nobody should expect any player to be happy about losing 10’s of millions of dollars. That problem is not going away.
Huh? What? You are the one talking about how Kerr supposedly views Kuminga. I don’t think I used ‘hate’ before. But, I am not counting. If 32mpg is what denotes a NBA Starter, Kerr has one very unhappy team. Much to Kerr’s delight, he has fully used his roster. Only one player has averaged more than 30 minutes a night, Podziemski, and he is a backup. Where do you get this idea that Kerr views Kuminga as his 8th or 9th option? Kuminga’s contribution to how far the team goes will be how contract negotiations go, not his minutes.
Curry coming off the bench last night is a sign to the team anyone can come off the bench and its not a disgrace to come off the bench. Too much is being made of Kuminga not a starter when their goal is to win not a ego. Curry comments after the game shows he doesn’t care if he start but a team player.
Curry came off the bench last yr too when he was coming off injury. Last night as well was about minute restriction. That being said, although it is important fo kuminga developement amd FA, all bets are off when the team is winning and playing well. It should be all about winning now and I advise that Kuminga should just enjoy it and have fun. Everything else will take care of itself at season end.
MIchol , agreed, Kuminga has to behave as “team first” at all times, and he appears to be doing that. It’s his agents’ job to represent him financially, shielding the player’s relationships with the HC.
This a once in a lifetime opportunity, with a loss of $30M-$100M at stake. In these situations, agents will be telling the FO, ‘We appreciate the HC’s point of view, but JK needs to be on a team where he can play.’ Last year, the agent elected to do that publicly. This time, it’ll be happening away from our view.
It’s a long season. He simply needs to focus, play better and win. He will get paid. He cant pout no latter what. $150-200m ia at stake. Poole was able to get paid because team won amd made impct on that team. Kuminga can do the same.
MIchol ,
Respectfully, Poole didn’t get paid because GSW won. He got paid because he proved when given the opportunity that he deserved it. He started 51 games, played 30 mpg, and delivered 18.5 ppg. He also led the team to winning records as the starting PG in Feb and March when Steph was injured. Kuminga bet, apparently incorrectly, on that sort of opportunity.
Agree, Kuminga has to stay focused on his play. I’m not worried about that. It’s what goes on between his agent and the GSW front office that determines whether he goes the way of Poole, Wiseman, PBJ, Rollins, etc.
Giants74 , You used the word “hate” in 2 previous posts in reference to my characterization of relationships between Kerr and young players. My position is that when this much $ is at stake, it’s all business, nothing personal.
You seem to trust Draymond. I’m repeating here what he’s said about Kuminga recently. If Kuminga comes off the bench this year, he won’t get a chance to prove he’s worth more than the $30M he was offered. Draymond advises Kuminga that life can be unfair, but because he has “superstar” ability, he’ll have his chance to prove it in future years.
This is a much discussed topic. Look around and you’ll see more informed people explaining why you’re incorrect.
Here come the “they need to trade everybody for a big center” comments
Of course, the trade ideas are always for someone who is close to retirement, can’t play defense, and is slower than molasses.
Reno Chris , if you’re referring to my recommendation that GSW goes after Brook Lopez in the event he becomes available in a Bucks rebuild, my point was that it wouldn’t cost a front-line player, including TJD.
giants74, Lopez is still playing All-NBA caliber defense. And, after KAT, no C In the league stretches the floor as well.
Did anyone here actually watch the Rockets game? Kerr unveiled the Looney-Slomo-Kuminga-Lindy-Buddy = no playmaker lineup. It worked well in the first half, so what does Kerr do? Plays it almost the entire second half as the lead went from 30 to 0. What works with this roster are constant rotation changes, do not let the opposition adjust. TJD and Moody were cooking everyone in the first half, but they got benched for their worst 3 players and didnt play in the second half at all? And Kuminga only played the last 2 mins of the 2nd half?,
Thats 1 Kerr nightmare game in the books. He truly is the Robert Horry of coaching. Lots of rings, but he sure as hell had nothing to do with them and was being hard carried by a superstar.
Also the worst 3 players on GSW are Slomo, GP2 and Lindy. They should NEVER be getting serious minutes over TJD, Kuminga and Moody, ever. They’re also injury risks. Kerr stinks.
You’re actually trippin
So Kerr(like Big Shot Rob) always comes in clutch when it’s matters and was an essential addition for several championship teams over the top?
Slo Mo and GP2 both are great on defense. There is a reason they are in games.
Except Poole cooked GP2 last night, its not 2022 anymore, GP2 is old and washed and not the big defender he once was.
Kerr not switching the rotations in the 2nd half when that worked so awesomely well in the first half is malpractice.
It is about time Poole did something. He has embarrassed himself the past two seasons. Will it last? Besides, GP2 didn’t play that many minutes. Also, the Warriors won.
It’s nice to see Poole not turning balls over and not playng so erratically. Those 2 steal and dunk were impressive.
It’s well-known why Poole himself and others say he’s back to his former self: last year’s coach used always played him off the ball, and never as a PG.
Poole is being used strictly as PG this year. He needs to have the ball in his hands to be effective.
Davey J calls Kerr an idiot. Kerr’s peers voted one of the 15 greatest Head Coaches in NBA history. I guess Davey knows more about hoops than Riley, Jackson, Poppovich, etc. Who knew. If he knows so much, why is he stuck posting here? He could easily earn a huge contract somewhere else.
I do agree with Dave’s on why did Kerr not play Davis in the second half of the rockets game.
Everyone makes mistakes. It is kinda take anyone seriously who knocks the most successful coach in the team’s history. There has been little to get excited over the years. What Kerr has brought is rather special. To say it is solely because of Curry is rather ignorant. Kerr is his 4th head coach. The 1st was voted one of 10 greatest coaches in NBA history.
Kuminga thinks he is a superstar…Draymond thinks Kuminga is a superstar… exciting news..no trust in Kuminga..
Tries hard, athletic, and is starting to make some more team plays…but in the past he really has seemed like a show boater..self before team…I won’t bring up how podz and Moody are great team players…they have put together a few wins…do not get too excited here…
Sounds like the Warriors handled Wiggins situation pretty well? Probably effected them quite a bit last year…Hopefully he can be the great defender he can be and help out offensively also..
Ohhhh…and they obviously need to trade for a big centre…someone who is not very old and slow though.. still think Frank Kaminsky is the real fit here
Good post !!
On the center thing yeah they need somebody but all these names the guys put out are only centers by measurements.
The other teams that scoop them up have them sit on the bench and they don’t play. I don’t want a guy like that. Just to have him in reserve and not play him.
I’d rather have a Santos or a Lindy Waters at the end of the bench who can shoot, defend, get out to the wing on D and challenge the 3, play Help defense, run the floor, etc.
Not a 7-footer who only plays garbage time just to say you have it 7 footer on the roster.
As far as Frank the Tank, the Warriors tried a guy like that a couple years ago with Bejilica. Nice shooter, set screens, does the dirty work, but not enough “Center” dirty work. Doesn’t defend the rim, provide strength down low, provide meat guy incidentals, things like that.
Frank is 7 ft but doesn’t provide the things we need from a 7-footer. Hope that makes sense.
Very well explained, Gary.
Kind of funny when everyone goes all Giannis. If we’re thinking of unlikely trades, I’d like to see Anthony Davis join the Warriors. Thinking that’d be entertaining (when healthy).
There’s the reason why we want Giannis over AD. Nothing against AD, I agree it would be awesome to see him with Steph and Dray.
Makes sense Gary.. would certainly prefer a bigger bulkier option… Stephen Adams or similar? Want to not include a superstar like Davis…would like a player who is younger and athletic at that size though…like Okongwu or similar..so basically any centre haha I’m not limiting options too much…
Good to see Buddy playing well…surprising….he really did nothing in philly