Quin Snyder Reveals Why Aaron Wiggins Already Earned Huge Role With Hawks

Aaron Wiggins played 31:45 off the bench Wednesday night in his first regular-season game for the Atlanta Hawks. Only Dyson Daniels, at 34:39, played more for Atlanta.

Wiggins scored 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting in the Hawks' 132-125 win over the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. He made 3 of his 5 3-point attempts and all 3 of his free throws, and he added 3 rebounds and 2 steals.

He also picked up 4 fouls. Atlanta was whistled for 30 as a team.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder said foul trouble dictated some of Wiggins' minutes, but so did the game and the matchups. Once Atlanta started switching more on pick-and-roll and got into double-team situations, Snyder said, the Hawks were bigger with Wiggins on the floor.

"We had, like, half our team with four or five fouls, so it's a good thing there were some other guys that were willing to take shots," Snyder said. "I think that's got to be, depth and versatility is something that our guys need to embrace. I think they have."

Jalen Johnson and Luguentz Dort each finished with 5 fouls. Daniels had 4.

Atlanta's four reserves combined for 34 points. Jock Landale scored 10 on 4-of-5 shooting, and Dort had 8. Orlando's bench scored 22, with 14 from Tristan da Silva.

Atlanta wants players letting 3s go early in the shot clock, Snyder said, partly so the Hawks can send bodies to the offensive glass. He called the rebounding inconsistent Wednesday.

The Hawks had 11 offensive rebounds and went 14-of-36 from 3-point range.

"In Aaron's case, I think everybody on the court has confidence in him, and he was playing well," Snyder explained. "I think that's something for our team that can be a real strength on given nights."

That confidence translated into more than 31 minutes in Wiggins' first game with Atlanta, despite coming off the bench.

Atlanta agreed June 21 to acquire Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder for two second-round picks, its own in 2030 and the less favorable of its and the Los Angeles Lakers' picks in 2032. The Hawks announced the trade July 6.

They absorbed his salary into the $11 million trade exception created when they sent Luke Kennard to the Lakers in February.

Wiggins has three years left on the five-year, $45 million contract he signed in 2024. He makes $9.2 million this season.

Oklahoma City drafted him 55th overall out of Maryland in 2021 and signed him to a two-way contract that August. He spent all five of his NBA seasons with the Thunder, including their 2025 championship season.

Over 339 games in Oklahoma City, he averaged 8.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists and shot 38% from 3-point range.

Dort followed him from Oklahoma City, arriving July 19 in a three-team trade that also involved the Dallas Mavericks.

In Friday's 135-111 preseason finale in Dallas, Wiggins scored 19 points with 7 rebounds off the bench. He went 4-of-9 from 3-point range.

Rookie Kingston Flemings listed Wiggins among the veterans giving him advice before his NBA debut. Dort's strength on defense is one of the things Flemings said he has picked up on in practice.

Wiggins' first regular-season game with Atlanta backed up the idea that his role could be much larger than a typical bench spot. His shooting, size and defensive versatility gave Snyder a lineup option he trusted for nearly 32 minutes.

The Hawks play Friday at the Charlotte Hornets, with tip-off at 7 p.m. ET.