INSANE NEWS : Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wants Andrew Wiggins to take a…..
The Golden State Warriors are hopeful that small forward Andrew Wiggins is able to bounce back from a down 2023-24 season. Head coach Steve Kerr told Kerith Burke of NBC Sports Bay Area that he has a very specific goal for Wiggins this season, shoot around six threes a game.Wiggins is coming offthe least productive of his career. He appeared in 71 games (59 starts), but averaged just 13.2 points per game. Wiggins’ had never averaged fewer than the 16.9 points per game in a campaign prior to last year.The Warriors wing acknowledged earlier in the day that the team will need him to take on a heavier scoring workload following the departure of Klay Thompson in free agency. A less hesitant outside shooting approach would be one way to try and make that shift.Wiggins only averaged 3.6 three-point attempts per game last season, but as with his overall scoring numbers, that was a notable decline from previous iterations. From 2019-2023, Wiggins averaged 5.6 three-point attempts per game and actually had more than six attempts per game in the 2019-20 and 2022-23 seasons.While Wiggins has never been an elite three-point shooter, he has also been a fairly consistent outside shooter. A career 35.4% three-point shooter, Wiggins has made 38.1% of his threes since joining Golden State (did someone say Steph Curry effect). Moreover, Wiggins has never shown a dip in efficiency with a higher usage.It still remains to be seen who will emerge as the Warriors second scorer next to Curry. Wiggins is the obvious veteran option, but young Jonathan Kuminga seems primed for a breakout season. That said, Kuminga and Wiggins may both be at their best at the 3. Kerr will undeniably try to have them flourish alongside each other on the court, but if either one struggles, Kerr could face some difficult decisions.The Golden State Warriors are heading into the 2023-24 NBA season with a renewed sense of optimism, especially for small forward Andrew Wiggins. After a disappointing campaign last season, where Wiggins posted the lowest numbers of his career, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has set a clear goal for him to step up this year. According to Kerr, Wiggins should aim to shoot around six three-pointers per game, a considerable uptick from his previous attempts, and a necessary adjustment given the changes to the Warriors roster.In the 2022-23 season, Wiggins averaged just 13.2 points per game across 71 appearances, a steep decline from his usual output. In every previous season, Wiggins had never averaged fewer than 16.9 points per game. The drop in his performance was not solely limited to his scoring but also reflected in other key areas of his game, including his three-point shooting. His 3.6 attempts from beyond the arc last year were far below the 5.6 average from 2019-2023, which included seasons where he exceeded six attempts per game, like in 2019-20 and 2022-23.Kerr’s instruction to increase Wiggins’ outside shooting is not just a tactical tweak but a recognition of the changing dynamics of the Warriors’ roster. With Klay Thompson departing in free agency, Wiggins will be expected to shoulder more of the scoring burden alongside Steph Curry. Thompson, known for his sharpshooting, left behind a significant void, particularly from beyond the arc, and the team is counting on Wiggins to help fill it. Wiggins acknowledged earlier in the offseason that the team would rely more heavily on him to increase his scoring load, and a more aggressive approach from three-point range is one of the easiest ways to achieve that.Wiggins has never been an elite three-point shooter, but he has been solid and reliable. Across his career, he’s shot 35.4% from beyond the arc, but his percentage has climbed to 38.1% since joining the Warriors, arguably benefiting from the gravity of Steph Curry’s presence. Curry’s unparalleled ability to stretch defenses opens up more space for his teammates, allowing players like Wiggins to get cleaner looks at the basket. Kerr’s confidence in Wiggins shooting more threes seems grounded in this context. Although his volume of attempts might increase, the team is betting that Wiggins can maintain or even improve his efficiency, as he has done in the past.There’s good reason to believe that a more aggressive outside shooting approach won’t come at the cost of Wiggins’ efficiency. Historically, Wiggins has not shown a decline in shooting percentages when his usage increases. The key for him will be to maintain confidence and stay aggressive even if he misses a few early attempts. A higher volume of threes could also help open up other parts of his game, as defenders would have to respect his shooting more, giving him more opportunities to drive to the basket, an area where he excels.One of the larger questions for the Warriors is how the rest of the roster will adjust to these new responsibilities, particularly when it comes to secondary scoring. While Wiggins is an obvious candidate to take on a larger role, young forward Jonathan Kuminga has also shown significant potential and seems poised for a breakout season. Like Wiggins, Kuminga is at his best when playing the small forward position. This creates an interesting challenge for Kerr, who will need to find ways for both players to coexist and flourish on the court together.Kuminga, known for his athleticism and defensive potential, has been a highly-touted prospect since entering the league. He has shown flashes of brilliance, but his development has been somewhat inconsistent, as is typical for young players. This season could be different, as the Warriors are expected to give him more opportunities to shine, especially with Thompson’s departure and the need for additional scoring. If Kuminga can take a leap forward, the Warriors could have a formidable pair of wings in Wiggins and Kuminga, capable of locking down on defense and contributing significantly on offense.However, if either player struggles, Kerr could face some tough decisions. The Warriors are aiming to contend for another championship, and there isn’t much room for prolonged slumps or underperformance. Both Wiggins and Kuminga will need to hit the ground running, as the Western Conference is as competitive as ever. With teams like the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers all boasting star-studded lineups, the Warriors will need all hands on deck to keep up.Kerr is no stranger to managing complex roster dynamics. Throughout his tenure with the Warriors, he has juggled lineups featuring superstar talent, emerging young players, and veterans looking to make an impact. His challenge this year will be to maximize Wiggins’ potential while simultaneously developing Kuminga into a reliable contributor. The hope is that both players can thrive alongside one another, creating a dynamic wing duo that gives the Warriors versatility on both ends of the floor.It remains to be seen whether Wiggins can fully rebound from his subpar 2022-23 season, but Kerr’s directive for him to shoot more threes is a clear vote of confidence. The Warriors believe that with a more aggressive outside shooting approach, Wiggins can return to the form that made him such an integral part of their 2022 championship run. If Wiggins can regain his scoring touch and Kuminga takes the next step in his development, the Warriors could once again be a force to be reckoned with in the West.Ultimately, the Warriors’ success this season will depend on a combination of factors—Curry’s brilliance, the continued development of younger players like Kuminga, and veterans like Wiggins stepping up to fill the gaps left by departing stars. Kerr’s ability to manage these moving pieces and create a cohesive, championship-caliber team will be key as Golden State looks to add another banner to its storied legacy.
