Andrew Wiggins had the worst season of his career last year, but the Warriors say he’s primed for a bounce-back season in 2024-25.
Wiggins was traded to the Warriors from the Wolves at the 2020 deadline and it was the best thing that ever happened to him.
He dispelled the narrative he was a No.1 draft pick bust and became an All-Star in 2022, while playing a pivotal role in Golden State’s championship.
Last year was a year to forget for the 29-year-old, but Kerr says the team are putting their faith in him as the team’s second-best scorer behind Steph Curry.
“I think there’s also a void that is left by Klay’s absence that we need to fill,” Kerr said. “That’s a lot of points to score.
“But it also means we have to rethink how we’re doing things, and Wiggs will be featured for sure. He’s a guy who’s proven he’s a 20-point-a-night guy, and we’re going to be relying on him heavily.”
Despite his father passing away recently, Kerr says Wiggins is locked in and ready for a comeback season.
“He looks physically really fit,” Kerr said. “I think he also looks … just speaking with him, he sounds very motivated. He’s very much at peace. 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.
“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.”
Everyone in The Bay seems to be positive about the season ahead, including second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, who spoke of a new energy surrounding the fresh-look team.
“I feel like we are young,” Podziemski told Warriors on NBCS. “We are youthful. Obviously, our new pieces — De’Anthony [Melton], Buddy [Hield], Kyle [Anderson], and our draft pick Quinten [Post] — it just feels like something new. With Klay [Thompson] and Chris [Paul] gone, it is going to be different, but I just think we are full of energy and ready to go and see where we can take it.”
READ MORE: The Best Reactions to Derrick Rose’s Retirement from the NBA