The Golden State Warriors are optimistic that small forward Andrew Wiggins can recover from two challenging seasons. However, the former first overall pick has been dealing with some injuries again.
Wiggins missed the start of training camp due to illness and has not participated in either of the team’s preseason games. Fortunately, he returned to practice earlier this week, but it’s still unclear if he will take part in a preseason game.
“We still have some time before the regular season begins, and I’m back at practice now, going through everything,” Wiggins said. “We have an excellent coaching staff; they’re great teachers, and I’m just trying to learn and adapt.
“I watched a lot from the sidelines in Hawaii. It wasn’t like I was falling behind or anything. It’s definitely easier to participate in drills and be part of it rather than just observing, but I had a good perspective.”
Wiggins is coming off the least productive season of his career, appearing in 71 games (59 starts) and averaging just 13.2 points per game. This marked a decline from his previous seasons, as he had never averaged fewer than 16.9 points during his rookie year with the Timberwolves in 2014-15.
This season, the small forward position could be crucial for the Warriors. Wiggins and young wing Jonathan Kuminga possess similar skill sets and may find themselves vying for playing time, depending on how head coach Steve Kerr manages the rotation. Additionally, with Klay Thompson’s departure this offseason, the Warriors will need increased scoring from the small forward position to fill that gap.
