“No Brainer”: NBA Analyst Tips Timberwolves to Draft James Wiseman

James Wiseman is one of the hottest prospects in this year’s draft. The 7’1 center is projected to be a top 5 pick. Wiseman came from the University of Memphis into the 2020 NBA Draft.

Wiseman’s play is very nimble for a big man. He has the size of a traditional center, yet has the quickness of a point guard. This combination of size and quickness makes Wiseman a mouth-watering prospect for the team.

Wiseman was a major prospect coming out of high school. He chose to go to the University of Memphis, in his home state of Tennessee. However, Wiseman did not get the chance to play for the university. The NCAA deemed him ineligible to play due to head coach Penny Hardaway’s involvement in his family moving to Memphis in 2017.

The NCAA considered Hardaway a booster in the recruitment process. They eventually allowed him to play, but Wiseman missed several games due to a suspension. In his 3 games with Memphis, Wiseman averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Wiseman announced he would leave the University of Memphis in December 2019 to focus on the upcoming 2020 NBA draft. Wiseman is a top prospect according to many basketball analysts. The Minnesota Timberwolves have the number one pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

What if Minnesota drafted James Wiseman?

However, rumors suggest that Wiseman himself doesn’t want to go to the Timberwolves. This is primarily due to concerns about his playing time. Minnesota already has a young talented center in Karl-Anthony Towns, who is the franchise centerpiece. He believes that he will be forced to change positions.

Wiseman could go to the Golden State Warriors, who hold the number two pick. Wiseman would make a great addition to an already championship-contending team. Adding a player of his size will make things extremely difficult for opposition teams, as they will have to divide focus between him, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson.

But the Timberwolves could decide to draft him, anyway.

ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla spoke to SiriusXM radio about Wiseman. Fraschilla said he wouldn’t be shocked if Wiseman went to Minnesota despite his reluctance.

“If you’re a young big guy with energy, you run, you rebound, you screen and roll and catch lobs at the rim. AND you move your feet on the floor. AND you’re 7 foot 1? That is an amazing starting point, and that’s where I am with James (Wiseman).

“I just see it as a no brainer. We’ll see what happens. It would not surprise me at the end of the day with the Warriors rubbing their hands together thinking they’re going to get this kid, that Gersson Rosas goes ‘you know what? We’re gonna go with the big guy.’ It would not surprise me”

The NBA Draft is on November 18 2020. Wiseman could be the no.1 pick overall, should the Timberwolves choose to take him despite his wishes. It will be interesting to see where Wiseman ends up after the draft.