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Fans Predict Doomsday for Stephen Curry’s Warriors After Scathing Words From 9X NBA Champion Come Under the Gun: “Passed on LaMelo for This”

Published 02/17/2023, 4:50 AM EST

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The Golden State Warriors made sure to make the most of the approaching trade deadline this past week. The Warriors indulged in a four-team trade that brought Gary Payton II back to the Bay City area. However, Dub nation decided to part ways with the former number two overall pick from the 2020 NBA draft, James Wiseman. Head coach Steve Kerr finally broke the silence on the Wiseman trade which led to a certain backlash from fans.

Standing at 7’1, James Wiseman was highly touted coming out of college in the 2020 NBA draft. The Warriors decided to pull the trigger on him and drafted him over players like LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Haliburton.

Were Stephen Curry’s Warriors right in trading Wiseman?

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Recently, head coach Steve Kerr appeared on ‘95.7 The Game’ radio station. The nine-time NBA champion gave his perspective on trading and parting ways with the bigman after spending two years with the Warriors.

USA Today via Reuters

He said, “Basically, it came down to his inexperience and where we are organizationally, trying to win a championship. The number of injuries he’s had over three years.”

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“I think if I’m not mistaken he’s played 60-70 games or something like that. It’s just not enough when you talk about competing for a championship and that’s where the issue came,” added Kerr.

Fans were not happy with the draft pick in the first place. One fan tweeted, “Passed on Lamelo for this..Biggest L from Meyers yet.”

Another fan commented, “Now imagine if the warriors took that view with steph those first 2 or 3 years he was in the league. Because you could make the same argument there too. I still say getting rid of Wiseman was a mistake in the long term picture.”

Here are a few more reactions from fans on Twitter.

Many agreed on the fact that there were better moves than trading Wiseman. Some brought back the talent the Warriors passed upon in the 2020 draft.

Did the Warriors mess up the 2020 NBA draft?

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Given the Warriors’ roster position in 2020, the front office drafted a big man to add to their starting lineup. Golden State already had players in the backcourt with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Draymond Green had the power forward position on lock. And Andrew Wiggins seemed a perfect fit for the small forward position. The only position the Warriors needed more real firepower was at the center. James Wiseman would’ve been an ideal fit, however, things never really got to that stage.

Watch This Story – Highest paid players on Stephen Curry’s Warriors after latest contract extensions for Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins

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Wiseman showed tremendous upside in both his offensive and defensive aspects of the game. Only if the Warriors were patient with him would the franchise’s future be secure. Wiseman would’ve paired up well with Jordan Poole and the others after Curry and Thompson finally hung their sneakers for good.

Was trading Wiseman a bigger mistake, or was drafting him over other great players something the Warriors should regret more? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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Written by:

Abhishek Dhariwal

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Abhishek Dhariwal is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He earned his bachelor's degree in English Honors from St. Xavier's College and his master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from AAFT School of Mass Communication and Journalism.
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Edited by:

Jayant Chhabra