Will Andrew Wiggins be a superstar?
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Andrew Wiggins is about to get a max deal from Minnesota owner Glen Taylor for 150 million. This has prompted discussion from critics and fans of Wiggins as to whether or not he deserves a max deal, and whether the Wolves would be better off trading Wiggins (for Kyrie Irving for example). Wiggins in his 3rd season in the NBA (21-22 years old) averaged 23.6 points, 4.0 boards, and 2.3 assists per game, while playing what most would say was below-average defense. Looking at those numbers (which in my estimation are pretty damn good for someone as young as Wiggins) got me curious as to what other similar players, or players who Wiggins is frequently compared to, averaged in their 3rd NBA season. So I took the time to jot down some stats (points, boards, assists).
Andrew Wiggins: 23.6, 4.0, 2.3, 1 year of college at Kansas
Kobe Bryant: 19.9, 5.3, 3.8, drafted out of high school
Tracy McGrady: 15.3, 6.3, 3.3, drafted out of high school
Paul Pierce: 25.3, 6.4, 3.1, 3 years of college at Kansas
Demar Derozan: 16.7, 3.3, 2.0, 1 year of college at USC
Vince Carter: 27.6, 5.5, 3.9, 3 years of college at UNC
Paul George: 17.4, 7.6, 4.1, 2 years of college at Fresno State
Klay Thompson: 18.4, 3.1, 2.2, 3 years of college at Washington State
Wiggins’ numbers are pretty similar by comparison to the other players listed. The players with the best numbers in their 3rd season are Pierce and VC who both played 3 years in college before coming to the NBA. Just curious what posters here think about how good AW will or will not be in the future, say 5 years from now.
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Depends on your definition. I think right now he is rack up stats on a bad team guy.
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The concern with Wiggins is that, other than scoring, he hasn’t demonstrated another elite skill.
He doesn’t rebound and, at least at the pro level, hasn’t shown himself to be a strong defender (though I believe he is capable). To be a superstar, he has to do something other than score unless he can score near 30 per game.
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He has to shoot the ball much more consistently, rebound, play some defense and get some assists from time to time. On the other hand Harden is a super star that don’t play any defense
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We really don’t know what he has been asked to do by the coaching staff so it is hard to tell how biased or unbiased his stats are. Apparently the team believes he is a super star and is willing to pay him accordingly; money talks very loudly.
