Rowan Barrett, the general manager of the North American squad, implied on Friday that Golden State is indeed blocking Andrew Wiggins’ Olympic participation. The Warriors, who won four championships between 2015 and 2022, have had a troubled relationship with the player, a former number one overall pick in the 2014 Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves who, despite his many physical gifts, has struggled to fulfil his potential throughout his decade-long career.

After being traded to Golden State four years ago, Wiggins helped the California franchise to its latest title but has failed to reach the same competitive level since signing a lucrative extension. An ongoing theme with him at the professional level has been the lack of sustained competitive fire.

Yet the forward seemed set to attack Olympic gold in the upcoming Olympics with Canada who, despite a talented roster, now fins itself lacking at the three spot. “For us, Andrew was fine. We were talking to him consistently, he’s been training for weeks and weeks getting ready for this. And then I got a call from Golden State a day or two before camp saying that they’re holding him out,” Barrett complained on Friday.  “So, from what I see, this is not an Andrew decision, this is from the team. And so, he won’t be with us.”

One of 20 players having been invited to camp before the definite Olympic squad was announced, Wiggins, a two-way player with a complete all-around game perfectly suited for international competition, seemed like a sure bet to feature in the starting lineup, next to superstars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray, vying for minutes with other notable NBA players like Kelly Olynyk, Zach Edey, Lu Dort, Dillon Brooks or  RJ Barrett.

The Warriors declined any blocking on their part and told The Associated Press that it was a mutual decision between the team and the player on Friday. But Golden State, whose coach Steve Kerr will also be managing Team USA in Paris 2024, seems to be in an awkward position: the dynasty run likely being over after not even making the Playoffs last year, the franchise might look to transition an retool the roster by letting go of mainstays like Klay Thompson or trading valued commodities like the Canadian forward.

The 10-year NBA veteran dealt with an ankle injury late in the 2023-24 campaign and the Warriors have been testing the waters on trade options this offseason, as he is entering the second year of a four-year, $109 million (€ 102 million) extension he signed in 2022. A one-time All Star, Wiggins averaged a career-low 13.2 points on 45.3% from the field last season and did not seem all that pleased with Golden State’s ‘mutual’ decision, according to Team Canada’s top brass.

“I’m disappointed for him,” Barrett said. “He’s gone through a lot the last couple of years and then, obviously, his mother was an Olympian and this is something he’s looking forward to and working toward and really on the uphill climb it seemed like in everything.”

Despite the bad news,coach Jordi Fernandez seemed ready to move on from Wiggins, who last played for Canada in an Olympic qualifying tournament in 2021. “I feel for him because I know he wanted to be here…. It’s a position where it’s not in our hands. We don’t like it, we respect. And we just gotta move on,” Fernandez said.