From the moment the Golden State Warriors landed the No. 2 pick at the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery, one player has consistently landed in the Bay Area in mock predictions.
Despite only playing three games at the college level with the University of Memphis, James Wiseman has been a popular selection across NBA Mock Drafts. After being named Gatorade National Player of the Year and earning bids to the McDonald’s All American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic, Wiseman quickly rose to the top of draft big boards heading into the 2019-20 season.
The combination of Golden State’s high pick paired with question marks in the frontcourt, there’s a reason the big man prospect has been linked to the Warriors in mock drafts.
In the latest NBA mock draft from Tyler Byrum of NBC Sports, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr land Wiseman with the No. 2 pick. According to Byrum, Wiseman “makes perfect sense” for the Warriors.
That report aside, Wiseman makes perfect sense for the Warriors. As one of the best athletes of this class, he can fit right into Golden State’s system as a small five that also showed he is able to stretch the floor. He would also improve their defensive presence in the post and learn from one of the best point-forwards in the game with Draymond Green.
View Byrum’s full mock draft with NBC Sports here.
During his stint with Memphis, Wiseman averaged 19.7 points on 76.9% shooting from the field with 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in three games. In each game of his short college career, the 7-foot-1 center recorded a double-double.
Wiseman’s arrival to the Bay Area would inject a needed dose of athleticism to Golden State’s roster. The 19-year-old could bring a new dynamic to the Warriors’ center rotation alongside Marquese Chriss and Kevon Looney. With the amount of attention Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson draw to the perimeter, Wiseman would have ample space to work underneath.
Although there’s little clarity on what Myers and Kerr will do when they’re on the clock with the No. 2 overall pick on Nov. 18, Wiseman’s potential should earn consideration from any team on the clock at the top of the draft.
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