[jwplayer shrwS1CP]
Projected top-five pick James Wiseman has received some level of interest from each team selecting in his range but the former Memphis Tigers center reportedly may not be fond of all of those teams at the top of the draft.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, speaking on “The Scoop” podcast with Darren Wolfson, Wiseman has no desire to be selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 1 overall pick. He apparently doesn’t like the fit with Karl-Anthony Towns, according to Windhorst.
Wiseman does not want to come to Minnesota because Karl Towns is there. I don’t think he’s a guy you can’t pass on. From what I understand, Wiseman doesn’t even want to do anything with the Wolves. I don’t even know what that means. Back in non-COVID, you weren’t flying to Minnesota for a workout. Nowadays, I don’t know what that means, he doesn’t want to do a Zoom call?
The Timberwolves have been rumored into wanting to trade down in the NBA draft with Dayton forward Obi Toppin high on their list of prospects. With Wiseman apparently unwilling to go to Minnesota, it is unclear if the team would still select him or go in a different direction.
Should the Timberwolves steer clear of Wiseman, though, that could open the door for the front office to select LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards. The organization recently met with Ball in Southern California and he could be a good pairing next to D’Angelo Russell in the backcourt.
Meanwhile, Wiseman has been most commonly linked to the Golden State Warriors ahead of the NBA draft. He projects to check a lot of boxes with the Warriors and Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway even said recently that Wiseman would be a spectacular fit with the organization.
The apparent disinterest in the Timberwolves by Wiseman could prove to be nothing or it could be his camp trying to ensure he goes into a winning situation, such as the Warriors. The situation will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks with the draft nearing on Nov. 18.
[lawrence-related id=23728,23722,23713]
[listicle id=23482]