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2020 NBA Draft: The Golden State Warriors most sensible pick is James Wiseman

By Nathan Beighle

PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: James Wiseman #32 of the Memphis Tigers waits on the court during a timeout during the second half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Oregon won the game 82-74. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: James Wiseman #32 of the Memphis Tigers waits on the court during a timeout during the second half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Oregon won the game 82-74. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and center James Wiseman makes the most sense of any prospect.

There’s no denying the 2019-2020 season didn’t go as planned for the Golden State Warriors. They won just 15 games and saw their superstar backup of Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry not share the court once.

Curry played five games, sitting out most of the season after fracturing his hand in the fourth game of the season. Thompson was going to be out this past season after tearing his ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

The silver lining is the second-overall pick in the coming draft.

While the team has shown interest in Obi Toppin, Tyrese Haliburton, Deni Avdija, and several other prospects, the one that makes the most sense for their roster right now is Memphis center, James Wiseman.

Wiseman played just three games at the collegiate level, but his numbers were impressive with one outing coming against Oregon, a top Pac 12 team. He averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game.

At 7-foot-1 and with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Wiseman would be an instant improvement over Marquese Chriss as a rim protector. With Curry and Draymond Green both healthy, the Warriors would also be able to run highly efficient pick-and-rolls given Wiseman’s wide reach.

Wiseman is more of a traditional center, but if he could turn into a Bam Adebayo-like passer and defender, he could become a staple for the future of the franchise. That said, Wiseman is the most sensible pick due to his immediate impact on the roster.

Marquese Chriss is the only player listed as a center. They have the mid-level exception to use, but there’s no guarantee that produces a high-caliber player like Wiseman could be. Aron Baynes, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol may all be MLE option.

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The Warriors have at least three more elite years from their core, and bringing in a player to compliment them, not compete with them, should be what Golden State looks to do.

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