Why Steve Kerr will always have a soft spot for Andrew Wiggins

ByNBAUSA



SAN FRANCISCO– Andrew Wiggins will forever be remembered in Golden State. Whether it’s his critical contribution to the Warriors’ 2022 title run or his humble and professional demeanor on and off the court, Wiggins will always hold a special place in the hearts of Warriors fans, and especially in the hearts of Steve Kerr.

With Wiggins returning to the Bay Area for the first time since The Warriors traded him to the Miami Heatin the blockbuster deal that brought them Jimmy Butler, Kerr recalled the trade and Wiggins’ time in Golden State.

“Wiggs is such a great human being and loved in our locker room,” Kerr said. “He had so much success here and helped us turn things around from those two years where we didn’t make the playoffs. He was just a joy to coach every day. When you get a guy like that on your team, and you go through a lot together, both on and off the field, then you make a trade, it’s just the way it is.”

“It’s just crazy, this league, how this business works. You just have to deal with it, but it’s sad when you have relationships like that all of a sudden – you still have a relationship but you don’t see each other. So we’ll say goodbye there, it’s different.”

Wiggins was integral in helping Kerr, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green to their fourth titles. He is in 22 games in the 2022 playoffs averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 46.9% shooting. In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Wiggins led the team with 26 points and 13 rebounds, leading Golden State to a 3-2 victory over the Boston Celtics.

Kerr on Wiggins’ legacy in Golden State

But for Kerr, the things about Wiggins that will stick with him have to do with his character off the field. Kerr talked about how good a father Wiggins is when he thinks about one of his own memories of his former player.

“To me, what a great dad he is,” Kerr said. “He loves his girls so much, and then he had his boy, Mario, a week before he was traded. I think that was another reason why it was tough, you know, knowing he had to pack up and leave his family late in the season. But, yeah – he’s a quiet, kind soul, a great dad and just a good man.”

As for how fans will remember him, Kerr believes they’ll be looking at the 2022 playoffs where he was arguably the Dubs’ second-best player behind Curry. But Kerr also believes fans will remember Wiggins for his character when all is said and done.

“I think our fans will absolutely remember his 22-year playoff streak, I mean, that’s what we all play for. That’s a championship. That’s what our fans are rooting for, and there’s no way we’re going to win that title without him,” Kerr said.

“But on top of that, I think you always want to connect with people as a fan. You want to connect with a human being. You want to feel good about who you’re rooting for. I think everybody here, Miami, Minnesota — I think everybody felt good about rooting for Wiggs because of the type of person he is.”





2026-01-20 02:50:00

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