. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
With the Golden State Warriors enduring a frustrating 2023-24 season, it feels like a drastic roster overhaul is on the way, and that could include All-Star Andrew Wiggins.
All-Star guard Klay Thompson is a pending free agent, and it remains to be seen if the future Hall of Famer will remain with the only NBA team he’s ever known. If the Golden State Warriors remain intent on keeping Thompson, they’ll have to clear some cap space.
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz recently proposed a blockbuster trade idea for the NBA’s most hopeless teams. For the Detroit Pistons, Swartz put together a trade idea that would have the struggling franchise Andrew Wiggins, fan favorite Gary Payton II and second-round picks in 2026, 2028 and 2019.
In Swartz’s proposal, the Golden State Warriors would receive a 2030 second-round pick. Of course, the main goal here for the Dubs is to clear cap space and make room for more blockbuster moves in the offseason:
“By offloading Wiggins and Payton, Golden State would be setting itself up to have significant cap space this summer. With Klay Thompson hitting free agency and Chris Paul’s $30 million salary for 2024-25 fully non-guaranteed, removing Wiggins and Payton from the books would mean clearing over half of the current team salary ($107 million of $206 million).
The Warriors would have roughly $101.7 million in salary committed next season to Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and Trayce Jackson-Davis (along with the $3 million guaranteed in Kevon Looney’s contract). Based on the current cap projection of $141 million, the Warriors could suddenly be a major player in free agency.”
At this point, it’s clear that the Golden State Warriors are simply fighting for a play-in berth. Entering play on Saturday, they were five points out behind the Dallas Mavericks for the sixth seed in the Western Conference.
So unless the Warriors somehow endure a deep postseason run this spring, a roster reset is likely on the way. And if changes are coming, one shouldn’t be surprised if Andrew Wiggins is part of the deal.
Golden State Warriors Should Give Andrew Wiggins A Fresh Start
Andrew Wiggins played a pivotal role in the Warriors’ 2022 NBA Championship run, but it’s evident that the first overall pick of 2014 could use a change of scenery.
Through his first 64 games this season, Andrew Wiggins averaged 13.0 points and and 27.0 minutes of playing time per game. Though he remains a stout defender and three-point shooter, it’s clear that the 29-year-old would be better off joining another team.
The Detroit Pistons certainly make sense as a possible landing spot for Andrew Wiggins. They need more veterans to support the young core of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.
