It is time to have a talk about Andrew Wiggins

The Miami Heat continue to make headlines and are often the topic of podcast host looking for attention. This is what happens when you typically produce results and then trade for the top player on the market in Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Everyone is giving their latest take on the Heat roster and typically it is in a negative light. Most acknowledge that the pairing of Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo has a lot of talent, but many then slander the other guys on the roster.

This take is ludicrous for many reason, but foremost I think they are leaving out one important piece. That is former All-Star Andrew Wiggins.

Wiggins began his career technically in Cleveland after being selected first overall but ultimately played his first game for the Minnesota Timberwolves. As many know he was the focal point in getting former Heat player Kevin Love to team up with another former Heat player in LeBron James.

With being the first overall pick and then traded for a superstar there are a lot of expectations. This is ultimately the beginning of how we have arrived to now where Wiggins is severely underrated in many circles.

Is Wiggins the superstar many thought he would become? Certainly not, but that does not mean he is a scrub. When evaluating the Miami Heat it should obviously start with Adebayo and Antetokounmpo but then pivot to looking at Wiggins.

He is currently the 3rd best player on this team. Despite this, many act more like he should be viewed as the 5-6th best player. I have a couple of theories for this, and we will discuss them now.

Not flashy like they thought....

Wiggins coming into the NBA was supposed to be an athletic freak that would produce insane highlights often, though he has those highlights he certainly is not producing them often at this point in his career.

This only matters because basketball has become a highlight driven sport. Unfortunately, the number of people watching basketball for the game itself is lower. With social media people just look at highlights to form opinions.

Wiggins does not have many of the highlights. He just gets the job done in a boring way, and there is nothing wrong with that. Well unless you only consume your basketball through Instagram reels.

Consistency, but not many explosive games....

Similarly, since people love highlights, they also love huge numbers. It does not matter if you score 5 points for 3 games on 10% shooting, if you score 30+ on the 4th game people will talk about you and give you praise.

Wiggins does not do that. He has a random outburst here and there but typically he is consistent in his production. I am not talking strictly about points either, it is in everything. He consistently has similar numbers. Few highs and few lows.

Once again there is nothing wrong with this and it is, in my opinion, a testament to how much he prepares and is ready for every game.

Apr 9, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) vies for a rebound against Toronto Raptors guard Scottie Barnes (4) during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

His best skill, few appreciate....

Lastly, his best skill few people notice, let alone actually have an appreciation for. Wiggins is an exception defender that gives the Heat a lot of flexibility. He can lock down many wings and does not require a lot of help. This is incredibly useful to a team, especially one that values defense like Miami.

Though the importance of defense is arguably at an all-time high, the appreciation is absolutely at an all-time low among fans. Fans are focused about point totals over total impact. There is nothing wrong with scoring a lot of points, but there is more to basketball than being the one with the highest point total.

When looking at the Heat roster, I implore you to look a little differently. Do not just read names but actually evaluate what the produce on the court. Think of how that can be useful to a team, especially in the playoffs.

People often wonder why the Heat “overperform” more than most teams. Maybe the answer is in the players themselves. The typical Heat roster is full of guys doing their role, not trying to make headlines. Few do that more than Andrew Wiggins.

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