I remember watching James Wiseman during his high school days and thinking, "This kid's going to change the game." Standing at 7 feet tall with the mobility of a guard, he seemed like basketball's next evolutionary leap. When the Golden State Warriors selected him second overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, it felt like the perfect marriage of talent and organization. But basketball careers rarely follow straight trajectories, and Wiseman's journey has been particularly fascinating to watch unfold.
Those early games before his meniscus injury showed flashes of something special - a putback dunk against the Spurs where he seemed to hang in the air forever, a transition block against the Hornets where he covered half the court in three strides. The raw tools were undeniable. Yet what struck me most was watching him navigate the Warriors' complex system. It reminded me of something Rondae Hollis-Jefferson once said about player development: "So understanding where guys thrive and how to put them in the best situations to be successful, I think, will help us." That quote keeps coming back to me when I think about Wiseman's path.
The Detroit Pistons trade in February 2023 represented a fascinating reset. Suddenly, Wiseman went from the championship pressure cooker of Golden State to a rebuilding team where he could play through mistakes. I've noticed his Detroit numbers tell an interesting story - in his first 15 games with the Pistons, he averaged about 12.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in just 24 minutes per game. Those aren't All-Star numbers yet, but they hint at the efficiency he's capable of when given consistent minutes. What many casual fans miss is how different the Warriors' motion offense is from Detroit's more traditional pick-and-roll heavy system. Sometimes a player just needs the right ecosystem to flourish.
Watching Wiseman now feels like observing a puzzle being solved in real-time. His footwork in the post has noticeably improved - there was a sequence against the Celtics last month where he executed three separate moves before finishing with a soft hook shot. The game seems to be slowing down for him. I've always believed big men develop later than perimeter players, and Wiseman's progression aligns with historical patterns. Look at Jermaine O'Neal - he barely played in Portland before blossoming in Indiana around age 24. Wiseman just turned 23 this past March.
The modern NBA presents unique challenges for traditional centers, but Wiseman's skill set might be perfectly timed. He's shown capable switchability on defense - I counted at least four possessions against Atlanta where he comfortably guarded Trae Young on the perimeter. Offensively, his three-point shooting remains a work in progress at around 32%, but the form looks cleaner than it did two years ago. If he can develop into even a 35% shooter from deep, that changes his entire offensive ceiling.
What fascinates me most is imagining his game in three years. We're talking about a player who recorded a 37-inch vertical at the combine - rare air for someone his size. The physical tools are so overwhelming that sometimes we forget he played only three college games at Memphis. In many ways, he's still catching up on fundamental basketball reps that most prospects accumulate over years. The Pistons seem to understand this developmental arc, recently investing in specialized big man coaching and sports science resources specifically around Wiseman's development.
I'll admit I'm higher on Wiseman's potential than many analysts. When I watch his Detroit tape, I see glimpses of a young Chris Bosh in his mobility and shooting potential, mixed with traditional center size. The key will be finding that perfect role fit Hollis-Jefferson referenced - perhaps as a pick-and-roll partner with Cade Cunningham, or as a defensive anchor who can protect the rim while staying viable in space. The NBA has seen several big men make leaps in their mid-20s, from Marc Gasol to Brook Lopez. Wiseman's path might follow similar timing.
The narrative around Wiseman has shifted dramatically from "bust" to "project" over the past year, and I think that's more accurate. Basketball development isn't linear, and for players with Wiseman's unique physical profile and unusual development path, patience becomes the ultimate currency. As he continues building chemistry with Detroit's young core and refining his decision-making, I wouldn't be surprised to see him average 18 and 10 within two seasons. The tools remain too tantalizing, the physical attributes too rare. Sometimes the longest roads lead to the best destinations, and Wiseman's journey through early career adversity might ultimately forge a more complete player than if everything had come easily from the start.
- Nursing
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Vascular Technology
- Business Management