Golden State Warriors could re-sign number two pick cut by Indiana Pacers to fill glaring weakness 

Golden State Warriors could target James Wiseman

The Pacers cut James Wiseman after an 0-3 start to their season. They have suffered several injuries on the perimeter, so they had to make way for high-flyer Mac McClung.

Wiseman was drafted number two in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Warriors, and won the championship with the team, but he never lived up to his pre-draft potential and was eventually traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2023.

Injuries have derailed Wiseman’s career since then. He tore his Achilles tendon after signing for the Pacers and was then traded to the Toronto Raptors. Wiseman re-signed in Indiana when Myles Turner joined the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Wiseman wasn’t effective in Indiana, but he may be just what the Warriors need.

There would be no pressure to carry the load from the five position. Horford will be doing that in the biggest moments of the season. Instead, Golden State needs a player who is familiar with their system that can run the floor, rebound, and protect the rim. 

For his faults, Wiseman has proven he can be effective in Golden State. And with the likes of Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama dominating the conference, the Warriors need bodies to throw at elite centers. If Horford were to foul out against the Spurs, it would be easy pickings for Wembanyama. 

Wiseman has shown flashes in the last few seasons, and on a minimum contract, he’d be a smart pickup in Golden State.

What Steve Kerr said about James Wiseman before trading him

Wiseman was struggling for playing time in Golden State after winning the championship a year prior. He was injured when the Warriors won the title, and couldn’t fight his way back onto the team.

Despite that, Kerr called Wiseman a “pleasure to coach”, and expressed his regrets about his lack of playing time. 

On 95.7 The Game’s “Damon & Ratto in January 2023, a month before the Warriors traded him to the Pistons, Kerr said, “One of the things I tell James from time to time is that I feel bad for him because of the circumstances. 

“He’s had a tough go with the injuries. The injuries definitely set him back. But the bottom line is he’s a really talented young guy playing on a veteran team.”

He continued, “[Wiseman is] in a situation where he’s not getting many reps and playing time as he would in a different set of circumstances had he been drafted by a different team. He’d be getting more opportunities that’s for sure, but that’s part of his story, that’s part of his journey.

“And what I love about James is that he understands that and recognizes it and continues to keep a positive spirit and energy and he works hard every single day and he’s wonderful to coach.”

Unfortunately, Wiseman didn’t prove his head coach right in his next few stops. Injuries continued to hamper him. But with zero expectations, he could play an important role on this Warriors team, who have high expectations with Curry and Butler.