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The 8 Worst Golden State Warriors roster decisions of the last decade

By Sam LaFrance

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts with Jordan Poole #3 during the third quarter in game seven of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 30, 2023 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts with Jordan Poole #3 during the third quarter in game seven of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 30, 2023 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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James Wiseman of the Golden State Warriors.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 11: James Wiseman warms up before NBA preseason game between Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers at the Chase Center on October 11, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

1. Golden State Warriors draft James Wiseman No. 2 overall in 2020

Following their 15-50 season, the Golden State Warriors found themselves drafting in the No. 2 spot in the 2020 NBA Draft. With a core consisting of a pair of superstar guards, selecting James Wiseman, a center out of Kansas only made sense, right?

On paper, yes. In practice, no.

Wiseman spent just three seasons in The Bay, appearing in just 60 total games. He struggled to fit into Golden State’s fluid offense and didn’t see as much playing time as a result. Plus, the young big man missed the entire 2020-21 season due to a knee injury.

The top high-school recruit in 2019 averaged just 9.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game as a member of the Dubs.

His Warriors tenure came to a close in 2023 when he was traded to the Detroit Pistons as part of a four-team deal, which netted the Warriors a reunion with Gary Payton II.

The pick that Golden State used to select Wiseman could’ve been used as part of a trade for another star to play alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Instead, it essentially went to waste, as the big man never quite fit in with the Warriors.

To add even more salt to the wound, a pair of All-Star guards — LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Halliburton — were taken later in the draft after the Dubs picked Wiseman.

This is another instance of hindsight being 20-20, but the Warriors could’ve handled the 2020 NBA Draft in numerous different ways — most of which would’ve garnered a better result than the route they took.

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