All indications point to the Golden State Warriors drafting James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The 2020 NBA Draft is less than two weeks away and the Golden State Warriors still have not made any moves with their No. 2 overall pick. If the Warriors keep the second overall pick in the draft and G Anthony Edwards is drafted No. 1 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources say that the Warriors will take James Wiseman from Memphis.
In Jonathan Wasserman’s latest NBA Mock Draft, he has the Warriors selecting James Wiseman No. 2 overall and has this to say about the match between the Memphis center and Golden State:
"“General manager Bob Myers showed up to Wiseman’s game against Oregon back in November, and given the team’s need for frontcourt help, it’s become easier to picture Golden State drafting an athletic center who can immediately play to his strengths, finishing off the lineup’s shooters and passers.”"
Of course, the Warriors will likely be a team that will look to see what they can get for the No. 2 overall pick throughout draft night and if the right trade appears, they will not hesitate to pull the trigger. The Warriors are in an interesting position compared to other lottery teams in which this draft pick will not be the “saving grace” of the team. With Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins under contract for years to come, it is not crazy to believe that if the Warriors draft someone like Wiseman, that he would be the fifth-best option on the team.
If something crazy happens with the top pick in the draft and Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman are both on the board for the Warriors, it is likely they would explore trading down for more draft capital and assets, but they would also give Anthony Edwards a long look. Edwards has the capability to be a star in the NBA and has drawn comparisons to future Hall-of-Famer, Dwyane Wade, but the question remains of whether the Warriors need/want a center or wing player they can build around in years to come.
NBA writer Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer has James Wiseman also going No. 2 overall to the Warriors in his latest NBA Mock Draft. O’Connor has this to say about why he has Wiseman going to the Warriors at No. 2:
"“There isn’t a better place for Wiseman to address his weaknesses than Golden State. During the early stages of Wiseman’s NBA career, he could fill the rim-running, rim-protecting role that JaVale McGee played for years, but he’ll hopefully evolve into much more once his shot creation and floor awareness improve.”"
The role comparison to JaVale McGee is a perfect reason why the Warriors would be successful for years to come if Wiseman joins Golden State. In two seasons with the Warriors, McGee was not a major scorer for them, averaging just 5.5 points/game, but was a major factor defensively and as a set-up man.
If Wiseman is able to come in and make an impact defensively as a shot blocker and rim protector, as well as be a passing big man finding Steph and Klay for three’s, the Warriors could be well on the path back to championships. JaVale McGee was fantastic in this role with the Warriors and as a result, helped lead them to back-to-back championships.
If Anthony Edwards is the first pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, I would fully expect James Wiseman, at this point, to be the second pick to the Golden State Warriors. Not only will he fill the void they have had at center for years, but Wiseman would provide the spark the Warriors need to push them back to the top of the Western Conference.