Kerr: Warriors 'not asking Wiggins to be a star'
The Golden State Warriors followed through on a long-rumored transaction ahead of the NBA trade deadline, shipping a package headlined by guard D'Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins, a top-three-protected 2020 first-round selection, and a 2021 second-rounder.
After the deal went through Thursday, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr outlined the 2014 No. 1 overall pick's appeal to the team.
"Wiggins is an electric athlete and we want to play fast. ... He's got the length and the speed to fill that role as a small forward. There's a lot to like," Kerr told KNBR 680, according to NBC Sports' Drew Shiller.
Kerr added, "There's a difference in the role that we're gonna ask him to play, too. Minnesota needed him to be a star. And we're not asking him to be a star. We're asking him to play a role on a team that already has some star players. There's a huge difference there."
Wiggins primarily served as the Timberwolves' second scoring option behind center Karl Anthony-Towns. He'll occupy a more complementary role once the Warriors' star backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson returns to full health.
Point guard is both Russell's and Curry's natural position. With Russell now in Minnesota, Curry and Thompson can fill their customary positions once they're back, with Wiggins at the three.
Wiggins has been criticized for his inconsistency on the defensive end, and Kerr said the 24-year-old will need to bring energy on a nightly basis with Golden State.
"He's very capable of giving us numbers," Kerr said, "but what we need is energy and the commitment defensively and sprinting the floor."