James Wiseman back in the Warriors roster: until when?

The Golden State Warriors announced last night that their young pivot James Wiseman, who had been with the Santa Cruz Warriors (G League) for several days, is back with the Bay franchise. A new start for the interior after two complicated first years?

Fun fact: Wiseman’s #2 pick status in the 2020 Draft makes him – behind Andrew Wiggins (#1 pick in 2014) – the second-highest drafted player on the reigning champions’ current roster. However, on the court, the reality is not so funny for the ephemeral Tiger of the University of Memphis.

After a statistically correct rookie season (11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds at nearly 52% overall shooting) but marked by an adaptation that was not obvious at the highest level and a major meniscus injury, the wise man (do you have it?) lived a season 2021-22 white where he saw the Warriors win the ring without him (even if, being under contract, he finds himself NBA champion in fact). To make matters worse, he notes with helplessness that Kevon Looney, more experienced and above all much more complementary to the historic trio Stephen Curry – Klay Thompson – Draymond Green, firmly occupies the position of titular pivot.

Suddenly, for this 2022-2023 financial year, after a discreet return (zero tenure in eleven games, less than 7 points on average), Wiseman was therefore sent to redo the icing on the lower floor, within the affiliated franchise. to the Dubs. And there, it immediately goes a little better. In seven games (all holders), the interior posed averages of more than 15 points, 10 rebounds and 1 block in almost 27 minutes. What convince the board of the (real) Warriors to give him a chance in the rotation? In any case, this reintegration into the main roster is a first step in this direction.

Author of a fairly complicated start to the season, and more generally to his career in the NBA, James Wiseman was able to find his colors in the G League and show that the potential is still there. But the hardest part begins for the former protege of Penny Hardaway: to confirm at the highest level.

Source texte : Warriors