Andrew Wiggins hasn’t played a game for the Warriors since Feb. 13 and speculation continues to run rampant in NBA circles, but the franchise continues to respect Wiggins’ personal privacy.
On Wednesday morning, FOX Sports host Colin Cowherd reported that he was hearing Wiggins “likely doesn’t return for the season.”
During his bi-weekly appearance on 95.7 The Game, Warriors president and general manager Bob Myers told “Steiny & Guru” that he hasn’t heard Wiggins’ season is in jeopardy yet.
“Nothing different than before,” Myers told Matt Steinmetz and Daryle ‘The Guru’ Johnson. “Same answer, unfortunately. I get why you gotta ask, I get why the fans are interested. There’s nothing wrong with that. But we gotta respect and his life and his privacy, just like I would respect yours.
“That doesn’t mean you have to like that answer. In our opinion, that’s the right answer. Certainly, I’m sure he wants to be here. We want him here, but beyond that I can’t help shed light. If I was in the situation he was in and I asked people to keep it private, I’d hope they would. Just honoring that, respecting that. Nothing really new.
“I shared last time that it wasn’t the plan he wouldn’t be back. Some people have reported that, but I haven’t heard anything along the lines of, ‘He’s not coming back.’ There’s speculation on that, but I haven’t been told, ‘Hey, I’m not coming back.’ Nobody’s said that to me.”
There are 13 games remaining in the regular season before the play-in tournament begins on April 11.
The Warriors clearly would love to have Wiggins’ two-way presence on the perimeter, but the franchise has consistently preached that there are things bigger than basketball during his extended absence.
For now, Golden State is playing the waiting game, as Wiggins and Gary Payton II (core muscle) remain sidelined. The Warriors are hopeful that Payton will be able to return at some point in the regular season and he’ll be re-evaluated next week following the team’s upcoming five-game road trip.
“It all has to coalesce come playoff time for any team,” Myers said. “It did for us last year. I suppose in years past, you could see clearly what our rotation was. But even last year, kinda trying to figure it out and get right near the end. Probably be the same this year. Hopefully we get Payton back, hopefully we get Wiggins back – but in enough time to figure it out and have some time together.”
The good news? Forward Jonathan Kuminga is listed as probable for Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers after missing the past three games with a right ankle sprain. For now, Kuminga can handle the defensive duties on the perimeter and wing while Wiggins is out, softening the load for Klay Thompson.
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