Andrew Wiggins has put the perfect finishing touch to a magnificent season with the NBA champion ring, and in the process clearing up all kinds of doubts for those who doubted his transfer in 2020, when he arrived from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Canadian has become an essential part of the team led by Steve Kerr, and this summer he will enter the last year of the guaranteed contract of the agreement that he agreed with Minnesota in 2017 for an amount of 147 million.
Despite the fact that various rumors have placed him out of Oakland in a supposed operation for Rudy Gobert, the truth is that both parties are delighted, and this coming summer they could sit down to negotiate a new long-term commitment.
“I would love to stay here,” Wiggins acknowledged after winning the ring. “Being here… This team is top notch. The way they treat all their players. We are a big family. In many places they could tell you all this, but here they show it to you », he explained.
In his third year wearing the Warriors jersey, he has become an All-Star for the first time in his career, and on the way to winning the title he has proven to be a differential piece at both ends of the track.
“I know there was a lot of talk about my transfer. People always have something to contribute, but I’m very happy here. People didn’t think he could be in a position like this, or that he could be useful on a winning team. But I have shown that everyone was wrong and I will continue like this », he stressed.
Poole’s future
Another player who has followed a path very similar to that of Wiggins has been his teammate Jordan Poole. After a very discreet first season in the NBA, many doubted if he could have a place in this league. But all doubt has been dispelled this year, first as the undisputed starter in place of the injured Klay Thompson, and in the first games of the playoffs replacing Stephen Curry himself, also injured.
Like his partner, Poole will also enter the final year of his guaranteed contract, and the Warriors will also be willing to offer him a new commitment this summer if they want to keep him long-term and not wait until 2023 free agency.
“He definitely deserves a new contract,” Andrew Wiggins admitted.
In the regular season he has averaged 18.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4 assists in 30 minutes per game. And in the playoffs he has moved to a Sixth Man role with figures of 17 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 27.5 minutes.
“If I’m honest with you, I haven’t even thought about that whole process. I was focused on the championship. Like we know it’s going to happen, we put ourselves in a win situation like this, and then it’s all over,” Poole explained.
Other free agents
After Wiggins and Poole, the Golden State management will have to get down to business starting with the 2022 Draft ceremony, as up to seven players are ending their respective contracts, such as Otto Porter Jr., Andre Iguodala, Kevon Looney , Gary Payton II, Nemanja Bjelica, Damon Lee, and Chris Chiozza.
Looney has been with the team since 2015, and offers will not be lacking this summer after his good work in the playoffs. And the same will happen with Otto Porter Jr. and his partner Gary Payton II.
“I know this team can fight for a championship again, and it would be a great opportunity if I could stay here,” said Otto Porter Jr. “It would be amazing to still be here with this great group of players and do it all over again,” he added.
After half a season in the Orlando Magic, Porter Jr., who was number 3 in the 2013 Draft, arrived at a bargain price signing only for one course and the veteran minimum. In 63 official games he has averaged 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22 minutes of play.
(Cover photo: Elsa/Getty Images)
