Andrew Wiggins Is Quietly Powering a Resurgent Heat Team
When the Miami Heat dealt Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors before the 2025 trade deadline, the move was met with a mix of relief and uncertainty in South Florida. After months of off-court drama and a first-round playoff exit, the Heat were ready to turn the page. What wasn’t immediately clear, though, was how quickly that new chapter would start to take shape - and how central Andrew Wiggins would be in writing it.
Wiggins, one of the key pieces Miami received in the deal along with Davion Mitchell, has found a groove in Erik Spoelstra’s system, and it’s paying dividends. Through the first quarter of the 2025-26 season, the Heat sit at No. 3 in the Eastern Conference with a 14-7 record - a far cry from the expectations most had for this team just a few months ago.
Wiggins Is Doing the Dirty Work - and Then Some
Wiggins has always been a player who defies the box score narrative. Sure, he’s averaging 17.5 points per game - fourth-most on the team, even with Tyler Herro only appearing in four games so far - but it’s the full scope of his impact that stands out. He’s also putting up 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, all while shooting an efficient 49.6% from the field and 36.8% from deep in 33.1 minutes a night.
That’s not just solid production - that’s the kind of two-way consistency coaches dream about. And in Miami, where Spoelstra’s system demands defensive commitment and offensive versatility, Wiggins is thriving.
He’s guarding top assignments, crashing the glass, and stepping into whatever offensive role is needed on a given night. He’s not trying to be the star - he’s just trying to win.
And that fits perfectly in the Heat culture.
A Better Fit in Miami Than Golden State?
It’s not lost on anyone that Wiggins looks more comfortable in Miami than he did during the final stretch of his time in Golden State. The Warriors were in win-now mode, trying to squeeze one more title run out of the Steph Curry era, and the weight of those expectations hung heavy. Wiggins was asked to be a key piece in a championship chase, but the fit wasn’t quite right by the end.
Now, ironically, it’s the Heat - the team that traded away their biggest name - who are outperforming the Warriors early in the season. Golden State brought in Butler to bolster their title odds, but so far, it’s Miami that looks like the better-balanced squad. And Wiggins is a big reason why.
It’s fair to say the trade has aged better for the Heat than many expected. Wiggins’ skill set - defensive versatility, efficient scoring, and a willingness to play within a system - is tailor-made for Miami’s approach. And while Golden State could certainly use his two-way presence right now, the Heat are reaping the benefits.
A Winning Player in a Winning Culture
Wiggins may not be flashy. He’s not going to dominate headlines or lead the league in scoring.
But he brings something every contender needs: reliability, effort, and the ability to impact both ends of the floor. That’s not always easy to quantify, but it’s easy to recognize when you watch him play.
Since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2014, Wiggins has worn a lot of labels - from "potential star" to "inconsistent scorer" to "key role player" on a championship team. But what’s becoming clear in Miami is that he’s also just a flat-out winning player.
He’s found a home in a system that values what he brings. And if the Heat continue trending upward, don’t be surprised if Wiggins is right in the middle of it - doing the little things, playing big minutes, and helping Miami quietly become a team no one wants to face come playoff time.