The Golden State Warriors are going to be without Klay Thompson for the second consecutive season, prompting Andrew Wiggins to shoulder more of the load than expected. As he enters his first full season with the Warriors, Wiggins spoke about what Thompson's injury means for his role:

Replacing what Thompson does for the Warriors on both ends of the floor is easier said than done. Thompson is able to shoot at an elite clip from 3-point range while also defending the opposing team's best wing players.

Before Wiggins landed in Golden State, Wiggins was an inconsistent player with a streaky jumper. On the defensive end, Wiggins has the length and athleticism to defend at a high level, but he has never seemed to reach his ceiling on the end of the floor.

However, with the Warriors, Wiggins is going to be required to improve defensively with the absence of Thompson. Besides Wiggins, Golden State also acquired Kelly Oubre Jr. in a trade, giving them more depth on the wing.

Throughout the offseason, Wiggins has apparently been in the weight room, bulking himself up for the upcoming season. Wiggins shared that he has added a “few” pounds of muscle:

The return of a healthy Stephen Curry to a roster with Draymond Green, Wiggins, Oubre, and rookie James Wiseman has the Warriors hoping for a return to the playoffs. However, it's going to be vital for Wiggins to help fill in the void left behind by Thompson.