3 Challenges Golden State Warriors must overcome

Challenge: Finding a role for Wiseman

Reintegrating Klay Thompson should not be much of a challenge for the Golden State Warriors. The franchise already has a decade’s worth of experience in that regard.

However, in his limited minutes last season, James Wiseman never quite found his role with the Dubs. Sure, he started to ramp it up before his rookie-ending MCL injury but fitting Wiseman into this rotation is not going to be simple.

Wiseman posted 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds 0.9 blocks per game in his first season. His athleticism was a marvel but he always felt out of place. The Warriors never ran enough pick-and-roll to get him involved on offense and to no surprise, he looked like a rookie on defense.

Solution: Simplifying his job

Thankfully, Wiseman will not have the expectations of a No. 2 overall pick entering his sophomore season. Many people across the league have fallen quite low on Wiseman — and, the Warriors are actually playing competitive basketball without him.

Wiseman does not have to be a star. He doesn’t even have to be a rising star. All he needs to do is play his role. Which, should be pretty simple this season.

The Warriors rank 19th in blocks. Wiseman can help in that department. They also score just 40.2 percent of their points in the paint, the 25th lowest rate in the NBA. Again, Wiseman can help.

Wiseman is a seven-foot freak athlete who should be weaponized on both ends of the floor. Allow him to roam on defense and reject shots as a help defender. Then, on offense, get him in transition, rolls to the hoop, or get him to crash down lobs from the dunker spot.

Unlocking Wiseman as an effective rim runner would put the cherry on top of an all-around strong Warriors team.