NBA Rumors: Warriors Taking Chance On Wiseman, Not Avdija, Analysts Say

The Golden State Warriors need to make a decision soon regarding what to do with the rights to the second overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft. Potential trade scenarios have been suggested, although the more important part is who the Warriors will select.

The top three names believed to be going first in the 2020 NBA Draft are Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman. However, the name of Deni Avdija found its way to that circle, with the Dubs allegedly blown away by the Israeli player.

Assuming the Warriors stay at the no. 2 spot and pick a player, the wise money is on Edwards, Ball or Wiseman. But if head coach Steve Kerr addressed the team’s needs, Wiseman looms as the plausible choice despite some work needed to boost his skills. This is the consensus based on the discussions that went on during the Friday episode of ESPN’s "The Jump."

NBA analysts Amin Elhassan, Kendrick Perkins and Richard Jefferson were not buying reports that Avdija made quite an impression on Golden State officials. They feel that these are overhyped, with Perkins alleging that he knows who the Warriors will select.

"I think it's nothing," Perkins said. "You know why? Because the Warriors going to draft [James] Wiseman. That's what they need. They need a big man, so yeah, I understand he might have had an impressive workout in front of them. And that's part of Bob Myers. Look, Bob Myers was my agent and I know how Bob Myers works."

The claims of Perkins should be taken with a grain of salt as there is no clarity on whether he has an idea regarding what the Dubs have planned. However, The Athletic's Marcus Thompson reported, citing unnamed sources, that Wiseman made a good impression during his workout with the Warriors and could be the Dubs' pick for the coming draft.

"Wiseman is as big and skilled as advertised," Thompson wrote. "They also liked him when they had their conversation/interview or whatever it was. Edwards’ exceptional athleticism jumped out in person. He seemed to really impress the Warriors with his freakishness."

As mentioned in a previous report, the Warriors do have options. If Avdija (or someone else outside the top three) interests them, a trade could happen. That way, they could get more assets in the form of picks or players that could help them next campaign.

Anything can happen moving forward as the 2020 NBA Draft nears. The Dubs are doing their homework, aware that they need to choose wisely and avoid taking in a young player who will not flourish with their system.