The Golden State Warriors made an interesting move with their former second-overall draft pick Monday.
They sent center James Wiseman to the G League in a move that almost needed to happen.
Wiseman missed all of last season with a torn right meniscus but started this season as a part of the Warriors’ rotation.
Through 11 games played this season, Wiseman has struggled.
Every time he is on the floor for the Warriors, the team struggles.
His plus/minus for the season is a -73, which is one of the worst in the NBA.
Due to that, Wiseman has faded out of the Warriors’ rotation.
Now as he heads to the G League, it will be a great chance for him to get consistent minutes and continue to develop.
The Warriors have had success in the past by sending players to the G League and them getting better.
Look no further than Jordan Poole who had a similar path earlier in his career.
Jordan Poole on James Wiseman going to the G-League (which Poole once did): “I told him it’s not a demotion. It’s not a punishment. He’s going to go down there and shoot as many shots as he wants, get as many touches as he wants, work on as many moves as he wants.” pic.twitter.com/ISivLSigjn
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 15, 2022
Through three NBA seasons, Wiseman has only been able to play in 50 games.
Along with only three college games at Memphis, so he is still raw.
For being only 21-year-old there is still so much Wiseman can learn, but he has to play through it.
Smart to have James Wiseman go down to the G-League. Does him or the team no good to have him collect DNP’s. He needs to play.
— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) November 15, 2022
Could Golden State Trade Wiseman?
It is possible that the Warriors could be looking to trade Wiseman, simply due to their win-now mindset.
While the 2020 draft pick still might be a very good NBA player he is not going to help the Warriors this year.
.@timkawakami ISN'T reporting anything, but he told @DamonAndRatto that if the Warriors DID make a trade…
"I think the piece most likely to be moved is James Wiseman. I'm not sure he fits ever with a Steph Curry and Draymond Green team."
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) November 9, 2022
Golden State already has young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody on their roster.
So, moving Wiseman to a rebuilding team for a win-now piece seems like a decent idea.
Either way, this was a move that needed to be made as Wiseman needs to develop before he can go back into the Warriors’ rotation.
NEXT: Warriors Fans Are Growing Concerned About Their Superstar