How Aaron Wiggins has remained a 'total pro' despite limited role in OKC's playoffs

Apr 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) laugh after a game against the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Going through his usual pregame routine, Aaron Wiggins knows what the NBA is about. He's been in the league long enough to know your rotation spot isn't written in Sharpie. You don't work your way up from second-round two-way player to a one-time NBA champion without that sense of self-awareness.

As of now, Wiggins has been on the outside of OKC's rotation. It's a spot he hasn't been at since his early days on the Thunder. Over the last five seasons, he's become a fixture in their rotation — whether as a starter or bench player. He's developed into an on-ball scorer that shoot well from the outside.

Alas — whether due to injury or added talent or just being on the most stacked team in the league — Wiggins has fallen out of favor in OKC's rotation. The Thunder spent the post-All-Star break portion of the schedule revving up his basketall engine. It just never actually hummed along.

Despite that, Daigneault has respected Wiggins' handling of a less-than-ideal situation. Nobody wants to be parked on the bench during their team's playoff run. They want to be part of a hopeful championship journey. The 27-year-old had his moments in last year's quest — which included a handful of double-digit scoring explosions.

"Like a total pro, just like everybody else. I think all these guys' willingness to accept their role at a given point in time, which is not permanent. It changes constantly," Daigneault said. "But their willingness to accept it and stay inside the team and continue to put the wind at their teammates' backs has applied pressure to everybody to continue to do that. That's the locker room. That's what these guys have built together and that's impressive."