The Disappointing Career of James Wiseman

Another season ending injury for Wiseman, will he ever be the same?

After James Wiseman’s recent season ending injury in his debut game with the Indiana Pacers, the question being asked about Wiseman is if he will ever be the same again. Today, we will discuss his career thus far and how his injuries could effect his future.

Timeline (Rookie Season - Pacers Debut)

2020-2021 Season

It begins here, James Wiseman’s rookie season.

James Wiseman’s rookie season with the Warriors was a rollercoaster that revealed both flashes of potential and gaps that would define his early career in the NBA. Drafted with the second overall pick in 2020, he entered Golden State with huge expectations. The Warriors, missing Klay Thompson to injury, finished 15-50 in the shortened 2020 season. When drafting Wiseman, everyone thought he would bring that excitement back to the Bay. After losing in the NBA Finals and finishing with the worst record in the NBA in back to back years, Golden State was stuck in an awkward position. Whether they would tank or contend was the big question. The Warriors looked to Wiseman as their potential big-man cornerstone. With not much competition at the center position, Wiseman got lots of court time. However, he wasn’t the most productive player when on the court. Wiseman’s size and athleticism were a tantalizing combination, but even in those early games, it was clear that his skills were raw. His transition to the NBA was anything but easy for him as he struggled with many skills he needed to have to be a good NBA player.

Wiseman showed glimpses of what made him such an exciting prospect: high-flying dunks, rebounds, and the ability to block shots in a way that Golden State’s frontcourt hadn’t seen in a long time.

He struggled to stay healthy. It didn’t help that his collegiate experience was short. He only played three games at Memphis due to eligibility issues. Sure, he may have averaged 20 points, double digit rebounds, and three blocks per game over 23 minutes a night, but the great statlines lightened his lack of experience which was a huge red flag.

It was obvious that Wiseman was struggling to adapt to Steve Kerr’s system. They needed him to be a contributor, not just that young rook with potential. He seemed caught between wanting to show off his talents—outside shots, coast-to-coast runs and trying to stick to Kerr’s instructions.

Despite the ups and downs, Wiseman’s numbers weren’t shabby for a rookie big man. He averaged around 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. But those numbers don’t tell the full story of a player whose journey seemed more defined by what could have been. His field-goal percentage? Around 51%, respectable but not at the level of a dominating big man. Even backup center, Kevon Looney, had higher a higher percentage, at about 55%.

Unfortunately, a meniscus tear cut Wiseman’s rookie season short after just 39 games.

Looking back, Wiseman’s rookie year was both disappointing and exciting as he showed his potential but missed more games than he played. It didn’t help that he was struggling to learn under a franchise used to winning with stars like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson. Wiseman’s chance to justify that #2 pick is over now.

2021-2022 Season

James Wiseman’s second season was defined by absence, as that meniscus injury derailed what was supposed to be a critical and crucial development year. Complications stretched his rehab timeline well into the 2021-2022 season. It was a tough blow, especially as the team was finally contending once again, rediscovering its championship form after two tough seasons. Watching the Warriors thrive without him added an unexpected layer of pressure. Wiseman knew he needed to keep up when he returned.

The young big man’s absence made him lose confidence as Looney thrived as their main center, and the Warriors were playing incredible basketball once again.

Watching the Warriors’ championship run from the sidelines, Wiseman was left with both inspiration and of course, the anxiety about where he fit in with a core who was already moving forward without him.

2022-2023 Season

In his third season, James Wiseman finally returned to the court, but his journey with the Warriors was met with more disappoitnments. As he was back in the rotation, Wiseman showed flashes of his talent in rebounding, shot-blocking, and finishing around the rim. However, he struggled to find consistency, both in performance and in playing time. Golden State, now fully committed to their championship pursuit with a veteran core, had limited opportunities for Wiseman to develop through mistakes. He often had short stints on the floor, and when he did play, the Warriors sometimes struggled to find the consistency needed on both ends with him on the court.

Midway through the season, it became evident that both Wiseman and the Warriors were out of sync. Rumors of trade possibilities swirled, fueled by the team’s need for more established contributors off the bench. Despite the team’s best efforts to use him in their guard heavy system, Wiseman's rawness was becoming more apparent, and the Dubs traded him to the Detroit Pistons in a four-team deal that gave Golden State more depth. The trade signaled a new chapter and beginning for Wiseman as this fresh opportunity was hopefully going to establish him.

With the Detroit Pistons, Wiseman found himself in an environment far better suited for his development. Detroit’s young core offered him more time on the floor and fewer immediate pressures. The Pistons were still in their rebuild and were focused on tanking for a better chance at a high draft pick. By the end of the season, he looked as close as his college and #2 pick form. The big man averaged 12 points and clearly gained much confidence.

2023-2024 Season

James Wiseman approached his fourth NBA season with a fresh start in Detroit, eager to build consistency and find his footing with the Pistons. Detroit’s rebuilding phase offered him a much needed low-pressure environment, giving him far more playing that he had previously. As he settled into a more defined role in the team’s lineup, Wiseman showed flashes of improvement, particularly in his rebounding and defensive positioning.

Playing alongside young guards like Cade Cunningham allowed Wiseman to focus on his strengths: rim protection, rebounding, and efficient interior scoring, rather than stretching his game beyond his current skill set.

However, though he showed flashes of potential, the former Memphis center only averaged 7.1 points a night. He still had many areas to improve, such as consistent defensive awareness.

By the end of the season, Wiseman’s progress suggested that he needed to be on a different team as though sure, he was progressing, Wiseman wasn’t playing at the highest level like he was the season before.

Currently

Eager to prove that he could play basketball at a better level, Wiseman was ready to show off his skills.

Sure, the 23 year old showcased glimpses of his potential in that five minutes he was on the court, before tragedy struck and his Achilles tendon snapped.

Wiseman’s career has been a major disappointment thus far. The expectations that come with being selected second overall were a lot to handle for him, yet injuries and a lack of development have overshadowed his potential. His time with the Warriors included multiple injuries and playing time setbacks, limiting his ability to contribute meaningfully to a championship-caliber team. The hope was that joining the Pistons would give him a better place to shine, but it didn’t last long before he would leave the struggling franchise.

As Wiseman navigates the difficult road ahead to recovery, he faces not only physical challenges but also the big weight of unmet expectations. We are all hoping for a comeback, but the reality is that the road ahead is uncertain.

Was James Wiseman Ever That Good?

Would I consider him to be an impactful player? Yes. Worth being the number 2 pick over LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton and Maxey, Desmond Bane, all of those guys? Absolutely not. I’m big fan of Wiseman, heck I still have his Panini Prizm rookie card in a sleeve to prevent it being scratched. I get that he’s only 23 years old and has years left in the league, but so do all of the other guys I just listed. With two season ending injuries in basically 4 real seasons, Wiseman’s health is a problem and I don’t think teams will want to have a guy like him on their roster in the future due to his injury setbacks. He’s a bust. Though the Nashville native is still developing, he still injured his Achilles. Wiseman may never be the same. Unfortunately, he was drafted by the wrong team as Golden State could’ve used him better, and you can only feel bad for him as his two main injuries he’s suffered are one of the worst in basketball.

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