In the lead-up to the NBA draft, The Chronicle is analyzing players the Warriors could consider taking with the No. 2 pick. Up now is Memphis center James Wiseman.
Strengths: Wiseman looks the part of a dominant NBA big man. Standing 7-foot-1, 251 pounds with a 7-5 wingspan, he boasts the length, agility and leaping ability that front offices eye in a starting center.
At the next level, Wiseman figures to help a team immediately as a rim-runner who can throw down alley-oop dunks with ease. His quick feet and soft hands should also make him a dynamic finisher in pick-and-roll situations.
Thanks to a developing turnaround jumper and a decent jump hook over his right shoulder, Wiseman already has enough of a low-post arsenal to warrant plenty of defensive attention. His technique and mechanics suggest he could even become a legitimate threat as a midrange shooter.
An above-average rebounder, Wiseman particularly excels at attacking the offensive glass. It should only help that, despite gaining considerable bulk in recent months, he doesn’t seem to have lost any mobility.
On defense, Wiseman has the physical tools to become an elite shot-blocker. Though the sample size was small, he delivered a number of highlight-worthy blocks last season at Memphis, which held opponents to 33% shooting from the field when he was on the floor.
Weaknesses: Evaluating Wiseman is tricky because, instead of sitting out the rest of a 12-game NCAA suspension, he withdrew from Memphis in late December to begin preparing for the draft. Given that Wiseman only has 69 minutes of college film, scouts were left to wonder where he is in his development.
Though Wiseman offered glimpses of his potential in three games with the Tigers, he also showed that his skills are relatively raw for a potential top-three pick. It’s unclear whether he’ll be able to create offense for himself at the next level. Wiseman flashed solid touch at times on fadeaways and midrange jumpers, but his size and athleticism allowed him to get most of his points on lobs and put-backs.
Far too often, he settled for off-kilter jumpers instead of bullying smaller defenders in the post. This has raised questions about both his motor and basketball IQ. Some scouts believe that Wiseman’s success in the NBA could hinge on his fit, with the ideal team being one with playmakers who can create for him and coaches who can teach him offensive nuances.
Though he has a chance to become an elite defender, he tends to hunt for blocked shots a bit too much and is prone to biting on pump fakes. To guard wings at the next level, Wiseman must play less upright and not rely so much on his length to make up for being in the wrong spot on the floor.
Fit with Warriors: If Golden State takes Wiseman at No. 2, it will do so in the hopes that he can immediately start at center. His ability to run the floor and thrive in pick-and-rolls should help make him a factor offensively even if his jump shot doesn’t develop much. The question is whether he could excel at kicking out to open shooters, which has been an important responsibility for Golden State’s centers over the past few years.
On defense, Wiseman would offer the Warriors a much-appreciated interior presence.
Scout’s take: “Wiseman is a little bit of a mystery to me. He was probably the best player in his high school class, but that’s high school. It’s important to know how he does against better competition, and he only played three college games. I think he has a chance to become an All-Star-caliber guy, but I think it’s more likely that he’s just a good starter.”
Bottom line: The Warriors have been reluctant to use an early lottery pick on a center, given their infatuation with small-ball lineups. But according to a league source, Golden State was “very impressed” with what they saw from Wiseman during a recent in-person workout. One would think the Warriors have to at least consider him if he is available at No. 2.
— Connor Letourneau
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October 31, 2020 at 11:57PM
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NBA draft: Analyzing James Wiseman’s fit with the Warriors at No. 2 pick - San Francisco Chronicle
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