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NBA Rumors: Andrew Wiggins “unhappy” being the third option in Minnesota

By Brad Washington

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 13: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets during the game on February 13, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 13: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets during the game on February 13, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves star player Andrew Wiggins is rumored to be unhappy as the team’s third option. Wiggins’ production has dipped this season.

When Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016, the general thought was that the NBA would turn into a rat race. But the spirit of competition always reigns, and teams began to build teams to beat the Warriors.

The Timberwolves acquired Jimmy Butler this past offseason in a trade with the Chicago Bulls. Joining Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, the Timberwolves became equipped for the future.

So far, the results have been positive, with the Timberwolves currently tied for the fifth seed in the Western Conference. But according to Darren Wolfson via Derek James, Wiggins may not be happy being pushed aside as the third option:

Wiggins is currently averaging 17.9 points per game on 44 percent shooting. But those numbers have declined drastically since last season. In 2016-17 he averaged 23.6 points per game. His three-point shooting has also dipped. Last season, he shot just under 36 percent while this year, he’s shooting just over 33 percent.

In Wiggins’ defense, he was traded to the T-Wolves as a rookie to become the team’s primary option. Towns was drafted to help aid Wiggins, but the addition of Butler was to propel the team to compete with the Warriors.

The issue that arises is whether Wiggins can accept being the third option for the greater good of the team. Yes, he went from the first option to third. But the team is in contention to go to the playoffs for the first time since 2004.  Naturally, with two other dynamic scorers, his production will dip.

Next: How the Timberwolves playoff drought ranks historically

The only alternative is for the T-Wolves to tweak the system to fit for all three to succeed. Until then, Wiggins must choose between the team’s success or his own.

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