How OKC Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins 'is like a Swiss Army knife' for West co-leaders

joel lorenzi, the oklahoman

Sat, Jan 27, 2024, 3:06 AM·2 min read

Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) dribbles past Spurs forward Cedi Osman (16) in the second half of OKC's 140-114 win Tuesday night at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.

SAN ANTONIO — Jaylin Williams barked in one ear. Jalen Williams barked in the other.

By the time Chet Holmgren crashed the postgame interview to bark, Aaron Wiggins had nearly gone deaf. It was the team’s way of telling him he’d been a dog.

Aggressive, efficient, timely. That was Wiggins’ 22-point night on 9-for-11 shooting Tuesday in a 140-114 win against the Spurs. He’d done a little bit of everything, the way viewers have gotten used to. But he even did more, including a galloping Euro-step finish and a midpost turnaround jumper.

"Wiggs is like a Swiss Army knife,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Throw him in every situation, he has something for it."

Wiggins has seen virtually every situation this season. DNPs, games with 25 minutes. A fluctuating level of responsibility that SGA recently labeled as one of the toughest gigs in the NBA.

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“We’re not running plays for him, and I say that respectfully,” Daigneault noted.

Wiggins is far removed from his idea of the NBA. Back before he lost his innocence and hadn’t thought to become a glue guy to this degree. But he’s sought a role on this team, which has meant his cutting, off-ball movement and screen have all taken necessary leaps.

“I just want to win,” Wiggins said. “Knowing that, in order for me to play, in order for me to be in a position where my team’s winning games, I gotta do whatever is needed.”

In the box of complaints fans have for Daigneault’s unapologetically sporadic lineups, Wiggins’ appearances have their own drawer of manilla folders. He’s now played at least 12 minutes in each of the past five games. He’s fit into gaps as well as anyone. He’s developed a high floor. Just enough to seemingly move the needle inside Daigneault’s rotation.

“He’s as good of a system player as we have,” Daigneault said.

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