Team Canada blames Warriors for Andrew Wiggins' absence

The Golden State Warriors claim that Andrew Wiggins skipping the 2024 Paris Olympics was a “mutual decision.” Team Canada disagrees.

While the Warriors insist they decided with Wiggins about his participation in the Paris Olympics, Golden State is also pursuing Clippers star Paul George. Wiggins would be a natural part of a PG13 trade since he and George play the same position and have a sizable salary for matching.

Wiggins did have an ankle injury late in the season, but Rowan Barrett, father of Toronto’s R.J. Barrett and GM of the Canadian Olympic team, doesn’t believe the decision was mutual.

“From what I see, this is not an Andrew decision, this is from the team, Barrett told reporters. And so, he won't be with us.”

Wiggins’ mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins, won silver medals at the 1984 Olympics as part of the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. While Wiggins hasn’t met the summer commitments that Team Canada asked of its Olympic hopefuls due to injuries, the 2022 All-Star was expected to be on the team.

Barrett certainly anticipated that.

“We were talking to him consistently, he's been training for weeks and weeks getting ready for this,” Barrett said. “And then I got a call from Golden State a day or two before camp saying that they're holding him out.”

When reporters asked if the Warriors gave a reason, Barrett said they’d have to ask the team.

Besides the potential trade, Golden State might be hesitant due to Wiggins' lengthy absences the past two seasons. He played only 37 games in 2022-23 and had two separate extended leaves due to personal matters.

Regardless, no Wiggins weakens a strong Canadian team that features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Dillon Brooks, the younger Barrett and two-time college Player of the Year Zach Edey.

Wiggins might not play for Team Canada or Golden State if the Warriors' trade plans go through.