The Atlanta Hawks' acquisition of Aaron Wiggins may eventually be remembered as one of the most underrated moves of the offseason.
Wiggins was never a high-volume scorer with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he consistently showed that he could contribute when his opportunities increased. Now, a move to Atlanta could provide exactly the type of expanded role he needs to take another significant step forward.
Wiggins already arrives with valuable winning experience after playing an important role in Oklahoma City's championship run during the 2024-25 season. He understands how to contribute without dominating the basketball, knock down open shots and compete defensively, but Atlanta may give him more freedom to demonstrate that there is another level to his game.
The Hawks have also become quite familiar with watching players flourish after receiving expanded opportunities.
Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker both developed into Most Improved Player winners after becoming starters in Atlanta, making the Hawks the first team in NBA history to have two different players win the award in back-to-back seasons. Wiggins could potentially become the next reclamation success story under Quin Snyder and his coaching staff.
Wiggins finally has an opportunity to show more
The biggest difference for Wiggins in Atlanta could simply be opportunity. Oklahoma City's loaded roster meant there were only so many touches and minutes available, forcing Wiggins to maximize a complementary role rather than consistently showcasing everything he could provide offensively.
Even within those limitations, Wiggins demonstrated an ability to score when Oklahoma City needed an additional offensive spark. He can knock down perimeter shots, attack openings in the defense and provide secondary scoring without needing the offense specifically designed around him.
Those qualities could become even more valuable with the Hawks. Atlanta has constructed a roster with several capable playmakers and defenders, potentially allowing Wiggins to focus on attacking favorable matchups while playing within the natural flow of Snyder's offense.
Unlike Daniels and Alexander-Walker during their Most Improved Player campaigns, Wiggins may not have the benefit of entering the season as a starter. That certainly makes winning the award more difficult, but it does not eliminate the possibility if his minutes and production increase substantially.
If Wiggins establishes himself as one of Snyder's most trusted reserves, there should be enough opportunities for him to make a noticeable statistical jump. Becoming a consistent double-digit scorer while maintaining his efficiency and defensive impact could quickly change how people around the league view him.
Atlanta has already shown it can maximize young talent
Perhaps the strongest reason to believe in a Wiggins breakout is Atlanta's recent track record. Daniels and Alexander-Walker both arrived with intriguing skillsets, but the Hawks provided the environment and opportunities necessary for each player to elevate his game.
Snyder and his staff have shown an ability to identify what players do well and place them in situations where those strengths become more valuable. Wiggins already possesses many of the characteristics that should translate into Atlanta's system, particularly his shooting, defensive effort and ability to contribute without demanding the basketball.
There is also significantly less pressure on Wiggins than there would be on a high-profile offseason acquisition. He does not need to become a 20-point scorer or suddenly develop into an All-Star for this trade to become a major success for Atlanta.
A noticeable increase in scoring, minutes and overall responsibility could be enough to place him in the Most Improved Player conversation. If Wiggins becomes one of the league's better sixth men while maintaining the two-way production he displayed in Oklahoma City, his case could become difficult to ignore.
Winning the award would obviously require plenty to go right, especially if Wiggins spends most of the season coming off the bench. However, Atlanta represents an opportunity for him to expand his game rather than remain confined to the smaller role he occupied on a championship-caliber Thunder roster.
The Hawks have already watched two players blossom after being given greater opportunities under Snyder. If Wiggins takes advantage of his fresh start and the coaching staff finds the right formula to maximize his skill set, Atlanta could surprisingly find itself with a Most Improved Player winner for the third consecutive season.
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