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Before this series I would have said that I thought Wiggins was a better offensive player but McDaniels was better defensively. After watching him get cooked by Doncic the first three games of this series, I am sure Wiggins is better defensively. At least when it comes to defending Doncic, which carries a lot of weight obviously.

In the 2022 WCF Wiggins held Doncic to 42%/34%. By far the worst shooting series of his career until this most recent series against the Clippers. In the 4 series he had played in prior to that WCF he was averaging 48%/37%.

McDaniels is signed to a 5-year/$131mil contract while Wiggins is on a 4-year/$109mil deal.

McDaniels and it isn't close.

Wiggins has off-court issues which directly affect his level of play and availability.

Also, comparing the 2022 Mavericks to the 2024 Mavericks isn't exactly fair. The 2022 Mavericks had no size, with Bullock/DFS/Dinwiddie/Brunson/Kleber and Powell (13 MPG) surrounding Luka.

But, if you are asking 2022 WCF/NBA Finals Wiggins vs McDaniels, then it's Wiggins over McDaniels.

Colbinii wrote:McDaniels and it isn't close.

Wiggins has off-court issues which directly affect his level of play and availability.

Also, comparing the 2022 Mavericks to the 2024 Mavericks isn't exactly fair. The 2022 Mavericks had no size, with Bullock/DFS/Dinwiddie/Brunson/Kleber and Powell (13 MPG) surrounding Luka.

But, if you are asking 2022 WCF/NBA Finals Wiggins vs McDaniels, then it's Wiggins over McDaniels.

I can't argue with your reasoning re: Wiggins availability and how it's affected his game. But having watched all the Warriors games last season, I saw how much his level of play improved during the season and that gives me some confidence.

As of next season, if I had a choice of McDaniels or Wiggins on a team with playoff aspirations, meaning the chances of facing off against Doncic are high, I'm taking Wiggins and I don't see how that can dismissed outright based on what we've just seen.

Also, OP, ‘24 Doncic > ‘22 Doncic, across the board.