Wiggins left the Warriors with a smile on his face.

It has been nearly a year since Wiggins was traded by the Warriors, and today he officially came back to the Chase Center as a member of the Heat. The Warriors’ home crowd gave him the utmost honor, recognizing that this was where Wiggins had his finest career moments.

Looking at the numbers, Wiggins’ best season certainly wasn’t with the Warriors. In his third year with Minnesota, he played the entire season, averaging 23.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, but his performance declined over the following seasons.

His career with the Timberwolves went from being a highly anticipated top draft pick to eventually becoming a salary burden disliked by both the team and fans. His calm, non-aggressive personality became a limitation early on, as the team and fans always wished he was tougher and more hardworking on the court. Unfortunately, Wiggins never became the player they hoped for.

On the 2020 trade deadline, Wiggins was traded from the Timberwolves to the Warriors in exchange for Russell. To shed Wiggins’ contract, Minnesota even gave up a 2021 first-round pick and a second-round pick. Interestingly, that first-round pick became the seventh overall in 2021, which the Warriors used to select Kuminga.

Wiggins’ role changed dramatically with the Warriors. In Minnesota, he was expected to be the team leader and fulfill the promise of a number one pick. His physical talent is indeed elite historically, but he lacked a fierce competitive nature. In Golden State, the Warriors didn’t care if Wiggins roared at opponents after every dunk.

The Warriors left everything up to Wiggins himself — what kind of player he wanted to be and how he wanted to play was entirely his choice. Here, he didn’t have to face media and fan pressure every night; he wouldn’t be the team’s best player but could be the best teammate alongside Curry.

Wiggins began focusing on defense and shooting, playing a role similar to Iguodala’s, except Wiggins had better talent and a more consistent shot. His mid-range jumper gradually became a signature move on the court.

Wiggins became a fan favorite in Golden State, with fans even voting him as a starter in the 2022 All-Star game — his only All-Star appearance. The Warriors relieved him of burdens, allowing him to play more freely, and his many smiling expressions started to become popular memes around this time.

So in the 2022 playoffs, we witnessed possibly the best version of Wiggins’ career. He locked down the opposing teams’ key players and erupted with his strongest energy after a stunning dunk over Doncic.

In the playoff series against the Grizzlies, Wiggins fully unleashed his rebounding talent. He grabbed 17 rebounds in Games 1 and 2 combined, including 8 offensive boards, forming a reliable inside presence alongside Looney for the Warriors. Wiggins later said:

“You have to find ways to fight for the ball, so I went in with a mindset of just trying it out. Then I realized, ‘Hey, this isn’t hard, I can use my talent to grab rebounds.’”

Before that, Wiggins averaged 4.4 rebounds per game in his career. In the 2022 playoffs, he averaged 7.5 rebounds, and in the Finals, an impressive 8.8 rebounds per game. In Finals Games 4 and 5, he grabbed 13 and 16 rebounds respectively. His 26 points and 13 rebounds in the decisive game was nearly the best performance of his career.

As the intensity of the games increased, Wiggins gradually released his long-suppressed talent. The closer he got to the championship, the more motivated he became. In the 2022 Finals, he averaged 18.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game, serving as the Warriors’ second option, especially playing crucial defense against the opposing stars.

This was Wiggins’ way of repaying the Warriors’ unconditional trust and support. He finally showcased his elite talent on the grandest stage. His relationship with the Warriors was always based on mutual trust and support, and even when traded, neither side held any grudges.

When Wiggins’ father was seriously ill and he took an indefinite leave for family reasons, the media couldn’t dig up any inside information from the Warriors. The entire team showed Wiggins the utmost understanding and respect. After his father passed away, the reason for his absence was finally revealed. To me, this story is even more touching than the 2022 championship run.

Off the court, Wiggins has a gentle and kind heart; on the court, he transformed with the Warriors. The five years he spent in Golden State will be remembered forever.

Before today’s game, the Warriors played a tribute video for Wiggins at home. Wiggins looked up attentively, and Powell beside him said, “Don’t cry.”

So upon his return, Wiggins still leaves the Warriors with a smile.