Golden State Warriors' general manager Bob Myers has spoken for the first time since the NBA trade deadline, wit..."/> Golden State Warriors' general manager Bob Myers has spoken for the first time since the NBA trade deadline, wit..."/>
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Trading James Wiseman was a ‘challenge’ for the Golden State Warriors

By Peter O'Keefe

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 13, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 13, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors’ general manager Bob Myers has spoken for the first time since the NBA trade deadline, with the franchise eventually completing the four-team deal that reunites them with Gary Payton II and sends James Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons.

The trade ends Wiseman’s underwhelming tenure with the team after the high expectations of being selected with the second overall pick in 2020. He played just 60 games for the Warriors, including missing the entirety of last season with a knee injury.

Bob Myers has spoken about the difficulty of the Golden State Warriors trading James Wiseman away from the franchise.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Myers confirmed moving Wiseman was a difficult thing to do, but one Golden State had to do in order to improve their chances for back-to-back championships.

"“Tough move to make…He is a great kid and did everything we asked him to do. To move someone we like that much as a person…That was a challenge. Moving him was something that we did more based on trying to help this team win.”"

The seven-foot big man played 21 games for the Warriors this season, averaging 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Wiseman also had a ten-game span in the G League, showing some impressive signs before coming back to earn limited minutes in Steve Kerr’s rotation. An ankle injury then came at a bad time, with the 21-year-old unable to gain minutes upon his return.

"“We debated it pretty heavily. Mostly because I still believe he can be a good player. It may just be that his path required more minutes than we were able to give him. It may be that his time is longer than we can wait. It’s not an indictment on him, there’s plenty of players that take a certain amount of minutes or certain amount of time”, Myers said."

There’s been a suggestion that the Pistons will start Wiseman immediately, forming a twin towers duo with exciting rookie Jalen Duren. Although he’ll get more minutes in the Detroit rotation, there’s still a logjam there with Isaiah Stewart also in the mix.

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Trading a number two overall pick in his third season for a role player isn’t the greatest look, however at least Golden State have the knowledge of knowing how well Payton fits into their system. Wiseman could come back to bite them down the track, but this is an undoubted indication that Myers, the front office and ownership are still backing in the veteran core.

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