After connecting on 49.2% on 1.6 makes an attempt from deep, it’s no coincidence Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder taking pictures guard Aaron Wiggins took on an elevated function from head coach Mark Daigneault this season. After Sunday’s win in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the place Thunder’s Daigneault applied a small-ball method, Wiggins was a big half. He’s continued to achieve traction in his newfound function this season.
After averaging 15.7 minutes per sport final season, Wiggins has seen an uptick to 22.0 this season whereas averaging a career-best in factors (11.0), rebounds (3.6), assists (1.6), steals (0.8), and blocks (0.3). It’s the sort of manufacturing that led to the Thunder staying pat on the commerce deadline.
Nevertheless, for Daigneault, he anticipated Wiggins’ progress through the offseason.
“It sort of was that straightforward within the offseason. When a man shoots that nicely on low makes an attempt, he’s telling you he can deal with extra, or not less than it’s value exploring,” Daigneault mentioned. “And we’ve performed that with numerous guys, you already know. Dub (Jalen Williams) wasn’t in a creator function however he was so environment friendly within the system stuff, they only sort of begin banging on the door.”
That’s exactly what occurred to Aaron Wiggins through the offseason, resulting in the best marketing campaign of his NBA profession.
“With Wiggs, we talked about it within the offseason, wanting that and needing that for the crew,” Daigneault added. “And being prepared to take a little bit little bit of a step again when it comes to the proportion to get extra quantity and permitting that to web out. It has. It’s unlocked our means to make use of him in numerous methods. After which, we begin to put him on the transfer a little bit.
“You’ve seen him fly off some off-ball stuff. He can also drive it. He’s actually put all of it collectively actually properly. He’s taking part in nice for us proper now,” Daigneault concluded.
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Wiggins is taking pictures at a 39.4% clip on 4.0 makes an attempt from behind the arc this season. He leads the Thunder’s bench in scoring and is one in all Daigneault’s best three-point shooters in 2024-25.
Mark Daigneault’s course of behind Thunder’s small-ball method
On the primary leg of the Thunder’s back-to-back, head coach Mark Daigneault revealed his method to going small to start out the fourth quarter.
“Within the second. It was good [in] the late first [quarter],” Daigneault mentioned. “We went small there, and it was efficient, after which they’d us in rotation with a few of our coverages. And we simply had a tough time staying forward of the ball.”
Thunder will look to bounce again from their 130-123 additional time loss to the Timberwolves on Monday.