The New York Knicks rested their starting lineup and most of the rotation on Tuesday night against the Toronto Raptors, but that offered up a crucial opportunity to former Golden State Warriors big man James Wiseman.
Wiseman is fighting for a main roster with the Knicks after finishing last season without an NBA team, strengthening his case against the Raptors with an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in under 24 minutes.
James Wiseman strengthens case for standard contract with Knicks
Wiseman's production didn't help the Knicks who fell to a colossal 50-point loss in Toronto, not that the reigning champions will care after rolling with a starting lineup of Jose Alvarado, Miles McBride, Bruce Brown, Mohamed Diawara and Wiseman.
Wiseman's 18 points came on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting from the floor, but more important for the former second overall pick was the opportunity he was delivered in comparison to other big men battling to make the opening night roster.
Wiseman got the start while veterans Drew Eubanks and Tony Bradley came off the bench. The latter two played 15 minutes and nine minutes respectively, suggesting the former Warrior could be ahead of them when it comes to vying for a roster spot.
That could be in part thanks to Wiseman's relationship with former Golden State assistant and current New York head coach Mike Brown, but Noah Rubin of NBC Sports has poured cold water on Wiseman's potential impact even if he makes the roster.
Performances like this will help make his case, though even if he does make the roster, or ends up signing elsewhere, it is unlikely he plays a significant role," Rubin wrote after the game.
James Wiseman could still get critical opportunity with Knicks
Even if Rubin paints a bleak outlook, Wiseman could still receive a critical opportunity to revive his career in New York. As much as Karl-Anthony Towns has been healthy over his first two years with the Knicks, the All-Star big man has historically faced injury concerns. Not to mention New York may be naturally a little more conservative with the minutes and games their key players see during the regular season with another championship on their mind.
The Knicks signed Andre Drummond after losing Mitchell Robinson to the Boston Celtics, but it's not as if the 2x All-Star is getting any younger nor any better as a backup big. There could be minutes there for Wiseman if good enough, but the franchise still need to see more than a double-double in a 50-point loss.
Wiseman wasn't the only former Warrior big in action during the one-sided contest. Still looking to secure a rotation spot after departing Golden State in February, Trayce Jackson-Davis had a highlight block as part of a nine-point, three-rebound, two-block performance in 10 minutes off the bench for the Raptors.
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