Why Kerr is optimistic about a bounce-back season for Wiggins on Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors started Andrew Wiggins at shooting guard in their last two preseason games, and while nothing is decided quite yet ahead of Wednesday’s regular-season opener, Wiggins appears headed to reprise that role.

In a starting-five with Steph Curry, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and a center — likely Trayce Jackson-Davis — Wiggins’ ability to space the floor and to defend opposing teams’ best scorers will be paramount.

Coach Steve Kerr believes Wiggins, after missing two weeks of training camp and preseason because of illness, is up to the challenge.

“The conditioning is looking better and better every day,” Kerr said after Monday’s practice. “The rhythm. I trust Wiggs. It’s been a tough year and a half for him for a number of reasons. But he’s a guy who has won a championship and played an enormous role in that championship. Been a 20-point scorer in the league. We know what Wiggs can do, and I think we’re going to get a really good version of him this year.”

Over the past two seasons, Wiggins has missed 56 regular-season games, many of which because of personal reasons. He left the team for roughly two months in the spring of 2023 before returning for the postseason because of a personal matter. Then last season, he missed four games at the end of February — again excused for personal reasons.

The Warriors have supported Wiggins through his issues. This summer, his dad, Mitchell, died.

After Wiggins’ personal trauma, Kerr said he believes the veteran has a renewed sense of focus and engagement.

“I do. I think he feels it,” Kerr said. “He worked really hard in the offseason. There’s a little bit of closure with his dad’s passing. As difficult as everything has been over the last couple years, I just think that when you lose someone, especially after a struggle, there’s a little bit of feeling of relief because that person isn’t struggling anymore. That alone, I think, allows a person to free himself up. And I can speak to that from experience. I think that’s a factor.”

Wiggins never spoke in detail about what he was going through, and the team respected his wishes to keep things private.

Last season, Wiggins averaged a career-low 13.2 points per game. He attempted just 11 field goals per game, also a career-low.

“I know Wiggs is a very private guy and purposely doesn’t want to open up about this, but I feel comfortable as his coach saying this,” Kerr said. “He’s an incredible human being. Everybody loves him so much. He’s such a great father, great son, and he’s been through a lot. I just think that he’s got some peace of mind in a way. Despite the obvious pain that comes along with it.”

Notable

– One of the reasons Golden State’s practice went so long on Sunday is because they invited Michael McFaul, the former ambassador to Russia. McFaul, who worked in Barack Obama’s administration and currently works at Stanford, is a big Warriors fan. He brought his son, too.

Kerr had befriended McFaul through the years and asked him to speak with the Warriors.

“He was great, couldn’t have been better,” Kerr said. “Our guys were really engaged, asked a lot of questions about what’s going on around the world. It was fantastic. If we can provide experiences like that for our players, then we’ve got to take advantage of that. Because there’s a lot of people like Mike in the Bay Area who are really impressive in their field. And it’s nice to be able to have access to them.”

– Warriors two-way guard Reece Beekman, who played for Tony Bennett at Virginia, said he’s happy for his former coach in the wake of his surprise retirement. Bennett, just 55, announced that he’s stepping away from the program shortly before the college basketball season tips off.

Bennett led the Cavaliers to the national championship in 2019 — one year before Beekman joined the program.

“I was honestly shocked,” Beekman said. “Just because I know him as a person. And just for it to happen that quick. I know how much he loves the game, loves the team. The timing was a little shocking. But I feel like he’s doing what’s best for himself, mentally wise, and then for the team.”