Following his signing with the Miami Heat in 2019, Jimmy Butler expressed to team president Pat Riley that he considered Andrew Wiggins to be the most talented player he had ever played with. This assertion was revealed during a discussion between Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst of ESPN regarding Butler's recent trade to the Golden State Warriors.

Five-and-a-half years after Butler's commendation, Wiggins was traded from the Warriors to the Heat as part of a complex five-team deal that facilitated Butler's arrival in Miami. Wiggins, a former standout at Kansas, entered the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Though he may not have accumulated an extensive array of individual accolades, Wiggins has maintained a respectable career, averaging 18.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game over his 11-season tenure in the league. His notable accomplishments include being named Rookie of the Year and earning a selection to the 2022 All-Star Game. Furthermore, during the 2021-22 season, Wiggins played a pivotal role in the Warriors' championship run, contributing 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in the playoffs.

Wiggins spent more than five seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he and Butler were teammates for a total of 69 games during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. Although their time together was relatively brief, Wiggins evidently made a lasting impact on Butler, prompting the veteran player to relay his high regard for the young star to Riley. This development sets the stage for an intriguing matchup on March 25, when the Warriors are scheduled to face the Heat in a highly anticipated game.