The Dallas Mavericks’ argument for acquiring Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins has long been a polarizing figure in the basketball world. Drafted a decade ago with expectations of becoming the next superstar wing, similar to Michael Jordan, he has not met those lofty predictions. Despite being the second-best player on a championship team just two years ago, the idea of having Andrew Wiggins on your team often elicits groans and displeasure. However, I firmly believe that Andrew Wiggins would be the perfect addition to complete the Mavericks in their quest to reach the mountaintop again.
The Mavericks reached the NBA Finals this season but ultimately fell short to the Boston Celtics. During the finals, the team’s flaws became evident as they were outclassed by an all-time great team. The main takeaway from that series was the Mavericks’ need for more scoring and shooting on the wings.
Derrick Jones Jr.’s starting role at small forward is seen as the natural spot to upgrade due to his lack of shooting and overall shot creation, despite his fantastic playoff run. Names like Jerami Grant, Dillon Brooks, and Andrew Wiggins have been suggested. While Jerami Grant is the fan favorite among Mavs Twitter (X) to upgrade this spot, I would argue that Andrew Wiggins is the best fit.
Wiggins had a terrible year for the Warriors last season, averaging 13/4/1 and ranking among the worst starters in the league. With three years left on his ~$84 million deal and seemingly regressing to his Minnesota Timberwolves form, it’s understandable why some fans don’t think he’s worth the gamble.
The main argument for Wiggins is simple:
Over the past two seasons, Wiggins has dealt with personal issues that have distracted him from basketball. He missed most of the 2022-2023 season and, upon returning, didn’t look like the Wiggins Warriors fans were used to seeing. He was also close to former teammate Jordan Poole and was affected by Poole’s departure after Draymond Green punched him prior to the 2022-2023 season. Given these circumstances, I am willing to give him grace for his recent performance.
I believe in looking past the struggles and focusing on the aspects of a player’s skill set that can be maximized within a basketball system. This approach worked with PJ Washington, who had a breakout playoff run with the Mavs, and I believe it can work with Andrew Wiggins. Despite his recent offensive struggles, Wiggins remains one of the best wing defenders in the league, spending 44% of his time matched up with ball handlers.
This is crucial for the Mavericks’ defensive scheme since the starting small forward would be matched up with opposing ball handlers, with Luka Doncic operating as a low man defensively, as evidenced by Jones ranking first on this list. Therefore, any player contending for this spot needs to be defensively strong at the point of attack.
Wiggins has trended downward offensively during his time with Golden State, but a change of scenery could rejuvenate him. Wiggins would offer more scoring and shooting than Jones, being a career 35% three-point shooter compared to Jones’ 32%. Wiggins can exploit mismatches and serve as a third scoring threat alongside Luka and Kyrie, addressing a significant postseason weakness. His role with the Mavericks would be more consistent and structured than it was in Golden State, where he fluctuated between starting and bench roles.
The Mavericks must stay aggressive as they navigate their newly opened contention window. Nico Harrison has shown a willingness to take risks, and this is a risk that could pay off significantly.
