Warriors May Find Extra Help Next Season In Former Lottery Pick

KEY POINTS

James Wiseman has been sidelined since the 2021-2022 season due to a knee injury.
The NBA 2022 Draft No. 2 pick is still seen as a key piece in the Warriors' system
His progress seems to be headed in the right direction

James Wiseman, the Golden State Warriors' former second overall in 2020, has been on the shelf since the 2021-2022 season with a right knee injury.

Since coming into the league, the 21-year-old Tenessee native has shown flashes of potential in his young injury-riddled career playing 39 games and averaging 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes of action.

Despite Wiseman's absence, the Warriors had a remarkable playoff run against the Boston Celtics in the Finals.

Finishing the series in six games, the Bay Area-based squad won their seventh championship to date.

However, the defending champions will have their hands full this upcoming season with some of their key roster pieces finding new homes in free agency.

With the proven championship core of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins still intact, they will need a bigger contribution from the young trio of Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and Wiseman for that coveted eighth banner.

The Warriors could be heaving a sigh of relief for their NBA title defense as The Athletic's Anthony Slater reported that Wiseman has been doing full-contact scrimmages.

James Wiseman played 5-on-5 full contact today for the first time in this reintegration. He remains on track for a likely summer league appearance in Las Vegas at some point. Jonathan Kuminga will meet team in Vegas, could get some action.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 4, 2022

As a part of the Warriors' summer league roster, there might be a likely appearance in the books for Wiseman, but it would not be surprising if they took it slower than expected for their prized big man to be in tip-top condition.

Given that Wiseman is the franchise's valued recruit from two years ago, it seems that he has a secured spot on the Warriors roster is clearly a part of the franchise's plans for the future

The next few months will be crucial as all eyes will be on his potential return and how he fits into the Warriors' system again.

There is no definite return date for him yet, but his current progress is promising enough to potentially reinforce Golden State's bid to go back-to-back next season.