NBA Rumors: Wiseman Offensive Shortcomings Raises Questions On Warriors' Interest

KEY POINTS

Warriors may regret taking in Wiseman over Ball or Edwards
Warriors could trade down and get a better big man
Wiseman's lack of offensive skills makes him questionable for Kerr's system

The 2020 NBA Draft is fast approaching, and all eyes are on the two teams that will pick first and second from the rookie selection.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are heavily rumored to choose LaMelo Ball to address their offensive needs. On the other hand, the Golden State Warriors have been widely linked to James Wiseman, a 7-foot-1 player that fits their defensive needs.

However, Wiseman’s body frame is only half the story. Although the Warriors are expected to figure better this 2020-21 NBA season, his offensive capacity remains a big question.

It is no secret that the Memphis product needs time to develop his offensive skills, particularly in scoring and passing. Hence, he may not provide head coach Steve Kerr the firepower that the club is looking for in a big guy.

So while the word going around is that the Warriors are high on Wiseman, that claim may not be spot on. The 19-year-old is physically gifted, but his limited playmaking ability and shooting raise questions on how he complements the system of the Warriors, Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

“He really is gifted physically. Is he worth the second pick? I’m not sure,” Letourneau said.

Wiseman averaged 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds with Memphis. He normed 76.9 percent from the field and 70.4 percent from the free-throw line. Those are stats that would impress any team.

But the thing here is that Wiseman played only three games. It remains to be seen if he can still produce the same numbers in the pro ranks.

Wiseman has been making an impression during workouts. This is one of the reasons seen as to why the Dubs would take him in. But would that be feasible considering one of the two talented offensive players in the draft is within reach?

If the T-Wolves do pick Ball at no. 1, Anthony Edwards would be a tough player to pass up. He was the original target on the Warriors' radar even if Kerr’s backcourt is loaded.

This is why the Warriors are reportedly open to trading away the second overall pick and could go lower to select someone like Deni Avdija, the Israeli teenager who impressed the Dubs scouts during a workout in Atlanta.