Andrew Wiggins' Honest Statement on Warriors-Heat Trade

Former Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins reacts to his trade to the Miami Heat

Jan 18, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) reacts to a Warriors basket against the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images | Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

The Golden State Warriors made one of the biggest trades of the NBA season, acquiring five-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, but sending fan-favorite forward Andrew Wiggins to the Miami Heat in return.

Wiggins, 29, is a one-time All-Star and played a huge role in Golden State's 2022 championship run. The former number-one overall pick was with the Warriors for six seasons, and truly left his mark on the organization during his tenure. While nobody necessarily wanted Wiggins to be traded, replacing him with a proven star in Butler is the right decision when trying to capitalize on aging superstar Steph Curry.

Jan 10, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) talks with forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during a break in the action against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Following his trade to the Heat, Wiggins spoke to the media about the business of the league and his excitement to play in Miami.

"Once I got the news, it's time for a new chapter," Wiggins said. "It's hard, but that's the NBA... It's a business. I'm here. I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited. I feel like we can do something special here. We got a nice squad. Great coaching staff. Amazing fans. I'm looking forward to it... They're a winning organization. They do things right. They do it the right way. When you come here, you just gotta be ready to work."

The Heat sit in seventh place in the East with a 25-25 record, but a star forward like Wiggins could certainly come in and help them turn things around. Their core of Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Wiggins could certainly make noise in a wide-open Eastern Conference, while the Warriors will likely shine with their new duo of Butler and Curry.

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