For the first time in six months, the Golden State Warriors got a chance to see Curry and Wiggins back in action, albeit with some rust to shake off. Though his performance was modest in their preseason victory over the Lakers, the significance of Wiggins’ role was undeniable. Positioned not at his usual small forward spot, but at shooting guard alongside Steph Curry, this new alignment could hold the potential for the Warriors’ most balanced lineup in years.
Wiggins’ appearance in the backcourt—a role typically held by Klay Thompson during his peak—allowed Golden State to test a fresh dynamic. Alongside Curry, Wiggins joined Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Trayce Jackson-Davis in a lineup that displayed impressive balance, according to head coach Steve Kerr.
“The key is JK and Wiggs running the floor,” Kerr explained after the 111-97 win. “It puts a lot of pressure on teams, and they set a good tone tonight.”
Wiggins contributed 11 points, shooting 3-of-9 from the field, and added a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line in his 21 minutes. His return might not have been explosive, but the game offered a sneak peek into what Kerr has envisioned for nearly a year: a Curry-Wiggins backcourt that could thrive post-Thompson.
A New Era Without Klay?
With Thompson’s future uncertain, Kerr has been exploring the possibility of Wiggins stepping into a backcourt role. While Wiggins doesn’t match Thompson’s legendary shooting, he brings defensive versatility and athleticism that makes him a formidable on-ball defender—an area where the Warriors struggled last season.
Though not at Thompson’s level, Wiggins’ long-range shooting is solid. He’s averaged 38.1% from three-point range since joining Golden State in 2020, and in 2021-22, he even hit 39.3% en route to becoming a Western Conference All-Star. This shooting efficiency and his defensive prowess make Wiggins a more versatile asset than ever.
One of Kerr’s key instructions to Wiggins this season is to increase his three-point attempts. “I’ve already told him: six 3-pointers a game,” Kerr said. With more spacing created by Wiggins’ perimeter shooting, Kuminga can focus on attacking the rim, making the duo a nightmare for opposing defences.
Stepping Up as a Scorer
With Thompson likely out of the picture, Wiggins is no longer the third offensive option—he’s now expected to be the second-scoring leader behind Curry. Averaging 18.5 points per game throughout his career and having crossed the 20-point threshold four times during his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wiggins has the tools to excel in this role. The only question is whether he can consistently maximize his potential and step up when it matters most.
While Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton will help bolster the defence, neither can be expected to replace the scoring void left by Thompson. Wiggins, however, can provide a well-rounded combination of offensive and defensive contributions. With a backcourt that leverages the best of Curry’s playmaking and Wiggins’ athleticism, the Warriors might have found the balance they need to remain competitive in a post-Thompson era.
This new look may still be in its experimental stages, but it already has the potential to reshape the Warriors’ season.
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