Golden State Warriors biggest mistake as a franchise over the last decade

The Golden State Warriors have got a lot right over the last decade, winning four NBA championships and going to the Finals on a further two occasions.

But like any sporting franchise, the Warriors can’t possibly get every decision correct. They’ve yielded their success in spite of some questionable choices, with one standing clear above the pack as the biggest mistake over the last 10 years.

Drafting James Wiseman second overall has been labelled as the Golden State Warriors biggest mistake across the last decade.

In a post that’s since gone viral on social media, X user @OTownNBA shared a graphic outlining every NBA team’s biggest mistake since 2013. Like most other franchise’s, the Warriors major error came on draft night.

After finishing with a league-worst 15-50 record in 2019-20, Golden State had the opportunity to draft in the top two for the first time since 1995. They selected seven-foot center James Wiseman, hoping to pair the athletic center with the greatest shooting backcourt of all-time and a former Defensive Player of the Year in Draymond Green.

After some promising early signs, Wiseman was grounded by a knee injury that wiped out his entire second season. The Warriors were never able to get return on their investment, trading him to the Detroit Pistons after just 60 games with the franchise.

To make matters worse, the picks flanking him have each become All-Stars in their first three seasons. First overall pick Anthony Edwards looks like/is a franchise player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, while LaMelo Ball has averaged nearly 20 points, over six rebounds and over seven assists on his career.

Even without a single minute from their 2020 second overall pick, Golden State bounced back from their one disastrous season to win the 2022 NBA championship. Even if it wasn’t a franchise-shattering decision, it would be nice if they had something to show for a year in which they essentially packed it in early thanks to injuries to Curry and Thompson.

They do have Gary Payton II to show for their efforts, with his acquisition as part of the Wiseman trade looking smarter by the day. Wiseman’s career is now on the rocks as he continues to receive DNP’s under head coach Monty Williams in Detroit.