Golden State Warriors: Green and Wiseman prepping for return

The Golden State Warriors have been trudging through the mud without two of their key players. Soon, hopefully, Draymond Green and James Wiseman will be back in action.

Green has missed the last two and a half months of basketball due to a slipped disc in his back. This is the former Defensive Player of the Year’s longest stretch on the sidelines, missing 29 games and counting.

As for Wiseman, being away from the game is something the young center is getting used to. He was yanked out of college after just three games and then spent the summer of 2020 in quarantine like the rest of us.

Wiseman had a brief opportunity to get his NBA career started before a meniscus injury sent him back to the drawing board. A shakey recovery has led to nearly a full year of the No. 2 overall pick being on the bench.

The Golden State Warriors are finally seeing notable progress in the upcoming returns of both Draymond Green and James Wiseman.

Green is now targetting a March 14 return against the Washington Wizards. For those keeping track, this would mark the first time since June 2019 that Green, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson competed together.

The road is less clear for Wiseman. The big man has been cleared to play in Santa Cruz for the Warriors’ G-League affiliate, a sturdy sign that he will be back on the floor soon for Golden State.

The plan is for Wiseman to play two games in Santa Cruz before hopefully moving his way up to the big leagues. Though, sources told ESPN it is “highly unlikely” Wiseman will crack the rotation.

This feels bittersweet as the Dubs have no other option at center besides Kevon Looney, who has provided a valiant effort but is in desperate need of help in the frontcourt. It’s hard to see Steve Kerr leaving Looney on an island if Wiseman is healthy.

Nevertheless, the Warriors can look ahead to the nearing return of two key players — hopefully delivering a shot of adrenaline they need.