Aaron Wiggins' Versatility Has Made Him the Perfect Role Player for the OKC Thunder

In his third season, Wiggins has become one of the Thunder’s most important bench players.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Los Angeles Lakers / Ronald Martinez/GettyImages

The Thunder have plenty of talent, but having someone who can play almost any position is a weapon.

Aaron Wiggins has been precisely that for Oklahoma City since the team drafted him in the second round in 2021. Although his minutes have decreased this season with the improved roster and team success, Wiggins’ impact has never been more apparent.

This season, Wiggins has been reliable in a number of roles on the floor, but it might not be his most valuable quality. He has played in all but three games and has been ready to play each night regardless of how many minutes he gets.

Despite not necessarily having a regular minutes allotment, Wiggins’ winning play style has forced Thunder coach Mark Daigneault to keep him on the court. Since a string of three seven-minute appearances in mid-January, Wiggins has played at least 10 minutes in all but two contests. 

Part of what makes him easy to play is his ability to play well in various positions and matchups. Wiggins has not played any minutes at center, but he has played at least 10% of his minutes at each of the other four positions, with the bulk of his minutes playing as a wing.

Earlier in his career, Wiggins’ playing time was primarily earned by his effort and ability to create transition opportunities. He still excels in those areas, including having the third-most deflections per 36 minutes on the team, but he has also turned into an elite 3-point shooter.

Although he has put up a career-low 1.5 attempts, Wiggins is shooting 49% from beyond the arc this season, the best on the Thunder. That includes shooting nearly 53% on above-the-break 3-pointers.

Along with being a good shooter outside, Wiggins is a solid finisher, making 66% of his attempts inside the restricted area. While he is not shy about showing off his ability to throw down, the Maryland product has a knack for making layups through and around contact.

Wiggins is not a perfect player, but he excels in his role and can be invaluable to the Thunder in the playoffs.

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