Warriors: Andrew Wiggins Benching Could Set Off New Era For Dubs

(Photo : Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors plays the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Ball Arena on November 08, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.

The Golden State Warriors continue to struggle and head coach Steve Kerr is looking for answers.

With Draymond Green suspended indefinitely, Kerr needs to figure out how to fill the huge void. But his problems are beyond Green.

Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins have not exactly been stellar this season and it would be foolish to keep the same starting unit if they are unable to deliver.

For starters, Kerr opted to bench Wiggins and give Brandin Podziemski a chance to be a starter. Jonathan Kuminga also got the starting nod, taking the place of the troubled Draymond Green.

Woeful Wiggins

After a great season, Wiggins has been putting up dubious numbers. He is averaging only 12.1 points and 4.4 rebounds so far this season. He is shooting only 41.3% from the field and 27.9% from beyond the arc.

As a result, this has forced the hand to bench Wiggins. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, this is his first career regular season game off the bench. He has started in all 656 NBA appearances he has made.

Thompson has also struggled, a reason why questions are in the air about his future with the Dubs. He has yet to sign a contract extension and there are suggestions that his next deal may not be that lucrative per CBS Sports.

There is still time for Wiggins and Thompson to recall their old form.

In their game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, December 14, Thompson had a rare good outing as he finished with 30 points and 5 assists. He went 9-of-15 from the field and 8-of-12 from three-point region.

Unfortunately, the effort was not enough as the Warriors lost to the Clippers, 121-113, as the Clips dealt the Dubs their third straight loss per ESPN.