It has been an excellent start to the season for the Toronto Raptors when you consider the fact that they have had to deal with one injury after another just 17 games in. Nick Nurse’s side has a 9-8 record, and they should be close to contending in the Eastern Conference when healthy.
Would a risky move for a highly rated but struggling center from the Golden State Warriors help them get closer to that goal?
The Warriors are famed for their ability to identify talent in the draft. Thus, when they selected James Wiseman as the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the belief was that the youngster was destined for success in the NBA.
Wiseman had a somewhat encouraging start with the Warriors as well. He averaged 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes of action while shooting 52% from the field in his rookie season.
Since then, things have gone off the rails. Two years on, it seems to have been a big mistake on their part. Both Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, drafted immediately before and after Wiseman, have established themselves as stars.
Wiseman played only 39 games in his debut season and missed the entirety of the following one. He has returned to action this season, but it has been a difficult reintroduction to the league for him. The Warriors have now sent him down to the G League for an ‘extended period.’
The future is looking bleak for Wiseman in Golden State. Should the Raptors kick the tires on adding him?
Steve Kerr on James Wiseman: "I'm a huge believer, long term he's gonna be a real good player. But, he needs reps..."
— TheWarriorsTalk (@TheWarriorsTalk) November 15, 2022
Would a move for James Wiseman make sense for the Toronto Raptors?
It could make sense for the Raptors to make a move for Wiseman and try to bring him to Toronto when his value is at its absolute lowest. Christian Koloko is a very enticing piece for the future, but adding someone with Wiseman’s ceiling could be an upgrade, specially offensively.
With the likes of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson entering the final few years of their primes, the Warriors are in win now mode and might very well be willing to let the youngster go for someone who would help tighten their leaky defense in the present.
James Wiseman rank among 2020 draft class:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 15, 2022
— 29th in points
— 27th in rebounds
— 38th in assists
— 36th in minutes
Where would he be selected in a redraft? pic.twitter.com/7MIyGW702G
Of course, it will be a risky move. The 21-year-old has been injured longer than he has been fit during his time with the Warriors. His defensive struggles have been noteworthy, and he hasn’t progressed as a shooter in the way that many expected of the No. 2 pick.
There is a lot of untapped potential there, and Toronto might just be the perfect place for him to realize it given their history with developing tons of young players.