The Golden State Warriors may be sending third-year center James Wiseman down to the G League, but it doesn’t mean they’re about to part ways with him for nothing in return.
Wiseman’s had an underwhelming career to date, much of that owed to inconsistency through injury. But he’s a number two overall pick, and despite the Warriors’ desire to compete for a championship, they’d surely need difference-making players in exchange for the seven-foot big man.
A recent James Wiseman mock trade proves his external value may have hit a point where there’s no going back for the Golden State Warriors.
Sports Illustrated’s Inside the Thunder have proposed a deal that would see Wiseman traded for two experienced bench players and a future pick. Here’s how the deal looks:
Speaking on the Warriors side of the deal, the author/s believe that it would ultimately increase their title chances this year in a way that Wiseman simply can’t.
"“With Muscala and Williams, the Warriors would get an injection of shooting and defensive versatility mixed with hustle play, respectively. On top of giving the Dubs a few more weapons, Presti could add on one or more picks to sweeten the deal”."
Williams is averaging 5.8 points and 4.1 rebounds on just 30.3% three-point shooting in 20.5 minutes for the Thunder this season. He’s a nice player sure, but how much more would he provide than if the Warriors simply upgraded Anthony Lamb to a full contract?
Musclala is averaging 7.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game, with his main weapon — the three ball as a stretch big — down at 32.5% so far this season. Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr spoke yesterday about giving JaMychal Green more time as a backup five, and if that’s the case, it’s difficult to envisage Muscala ever being in the rotation.
The Miami pick looks a little more enticing given their start to the season, but we’re still talking about a selection years down the track. The Heat have long been a steady and reliable organization, making it tough to bank on it being a lottery pick.
This isn’t to say the Warriors are closed off from dealing Wiseman — if the right move came along they’d certainly look at it. But if the above mock trade is any indication, then Wiseman’s value may have hit such a low point that Golden State are simply off continuing their investment in him.
As for the trade itself — what greater chances does it give the Warriors this season? Two players that’d be lucky to play a combined 15 minutes in the rotation — perhaps at best a 1% increase in title hopes. Is that worth it for the time and effort they’ve put into Wiseman? Absolutely not.