PHILADELPHIA — Andrew Wiggins grimaced as he dipped his toes into a bucket of ice at his locker. On the eve of the NBA’s trade deadline with his own name swirling as a possible player on the move, Wiggins had just played one of his best games of the year.
Twenty-one points, 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the year was the statistical highlights from the type of game his team could only hope Wiggins turns in more frequently. On the other end, Wiggins smothered Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey, helping to keep him to 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting in a rare Warriors rout on Sixers ground. He was active, present, made a pair of 3s — where he’s slumped to a 31.9% clip this year — performing like his 2022-self…and in desperate need of an ice bath.
That Wiggins hasn’t been able to find any consistency is one of the key reasons his name pops up in trade rumors. His four-year, $109 million contract is movable, his defensive upside intriguing for contenders looking for another postseason-experienced wing — the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks are rumored to be interested. Coach Steve Kerr has said publicly that he expects Wiggins to stay through the deadline, but there are whispers from those close to the trade talks that Wiggins could be on move now or in the offseason.
The buzz is loud enough that Wiggins, who tries to avoid it, stumbles across his name while scrolling social media. But he’s not searching online and does not want to leave the Warriors organization, he said.
“For sure, I love it here. I love the fans. I love Dub Nation. Coaches, teammates,” Wiggins said.
Wiggins isn’t the only name that’s popped up. Klay Thompson, with his five-year, $189.9 million deal expiring in the offseason, is technically a movable player. The Warriors may find that moving a struggling Thompson, who sometimes seems hesitant to embrace a lesser role, opens up space for Moses Moody to blossom. The sense is the Warriors don’t see the value in flipping Thompson’s contract, which is logical if the 34-year-old continues to embrace a less significant role than his peak, healthy years on a team-friendlier contract.
Thompson is an emotional pillar of the franchise with immense value to draw defenders as an ever-present threat to get hot from 3. The same competitive fire that sparks an outburst when benched also can help him thrive in high-pressure moments. Thompson says he ignores the rumors.
“I don’t really partake in NBA discourse,” he said. “I think that’s such a waste of energy and at the end of the day, wether I’m wearing a Dubs uniform or another uniform, I’m going to be myself. I’m going to be KT.”
He added that it is a “correct assessment” that he would prefer to stay with the Warriors.
Key to the Warriors’ approach at the deadline is how this season is unfolding with Draymond Green back from indefinite suspension. Kerr and the rest of the team is optimistic that they’re on the up with this group.
With a win in Philly, they’re 3-1 on this road trip with another to play on Thursday. They are 23-25 holding the 11th seed in the Western Conference in striking distance of a play-in spot with a defensive shift the most tangible reason for a slight turnaround.
Since Green’s return, the Warriors’ 112.6 defensive rating ranks fifth best in the NBA over that span behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics. Their 117.7 defensive rating before Jan. 15 ranked as the seventh worst in the league. Having Jonathan Kuminga and Wiggins start with Green at center has been the catalyst.
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Rumors and all, general manager Mike Dunleavy and the front office may not see the need to put the brakes on this momentum.
“Defense has been better over the last couple weeks,” Kerr said. “I like the starting lineup, I like JK and Wiggs together. Everybody on this team has just overcome whatever individual obstacles have come their way and you can always tell as a coach if your team is connected and care about each other.”
Said Thompson: “See Steph Curry, see Draymond. Go home, check our playoff record as a trio and what we have. Champions. I believe. I will always believe. It’s a long season. I will always believe we can always make a run, especially when we’re always suited up.”
