The Dilemma Between The Warriors and James Wiseman.

The 2020 NBA draft class is unlike any other draft class we have seen in the past decade. This draft is considered to be extraordinarily strong in the middle and back-end of the draft. Draft experts expect this draft to produce a plethora of starting-caliber players, ranging from the the late lottery to the late first round. In fact, many of the players that are projected to be picked in the second round are still extremely popular amongst NBA scouts and are expected to become solid rotation players in the pros. However, that is not what makes this draft unique. What distinguishes this pool of incoming players from anything that we have seen in a very long time is the top of the draft. This draft class has a very clear top three, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman. These three draft prospects are truly unique because almost everyone agrees that these are not even close to the three best players in the draft at this moment in time. In fact, all three of these players were net negatives for their respective teams and actively hurt their team's chances of winning every time they took the floor this past year. So, this raises the question, why are they projected to be selected at the top of the draft? The answer actually comes down to one very simple factor, potential. See, although many of the players that will be picked below these three individuals are considered to be better basketball players than them at this time, none of them present the upside that these three individuals present.

Meaning that while a lot of the players have better fundamental skills than these three, none of them have presented any gifted abilities that could transcend them into one of the best players in the league. NBA teams usually prefer to select players who have showcased some kind of gifted ability because fundamentals can be taught, but gifted abilities such as elite shooting, passing and athleticism can't be taught. This is the primary reason that this draft class isn't viewed as lucratively as the last one. It is a prime example of the classic English teacher saying "quality over quantity." Most NBA teams are willing to pass on a guarantee at a decent player like Eric Bledsoe for a 5% chance at an elite player like Steph Curry, because history suggests that the 5% chance at an elite player is substantially more valuable. That's the reason why there is such a difference in value between the third pick and the fourth pick in this year's draft. Nevertheless, there is still one team that's in the top 3 but probably wishes they weren't, the Golden State Warriors.

See, the simple fact is that the Warriors don't need a 5% shot at a generational talent because they already have one in Steph Curry. The Warriors need someone who is much more of a guarantee and makes an immediate impact because Curry is aging fast and their championship window is closing accordingly. However, they can't just select that person with the second pick because that would be a huge loss on investment value. Most people think James Wiseman is an easy choice with the second pick, but the Warriors clearly don't. So, why is that? Why is Wiseman projected to go so high and why are the Warriors so hesitant to select him?

Most people believe that James Wiseman is a perfect match for the Warriors because he fills their long lasting gap at the center position. Here's the deal, James Wiseman is a freak of nature. He stands at 7 foot -1, and has a 7 foot- 6 wingspan to go along with freakish athleticism. Wiseman has every physical tool to be an elite rumrunner, much like a prime DeAndre Jordan. However, a DeAndre Jordan clone isn't worth the second pick in the NBA draft. What separates Wiseman from the rest of the big men in this draft class is his shot-creation. Wiseman has flashed signs of being able to stretch the floor and create quality shots for himself. This skillset is the primary reason why Wiseman is ranked the best big man prospect in the draft. That sounds like a dream come true for the Warriors, so why are they so hesitant to select Wiseman.

The Warriors are unlike most lottery teams in the sense that they are immediate championship contenders, and that is the primary reason for their indecisiveness regarding Wiseman. James Wiseman is more of a project, the end reward is extremely valuable, but it will take time to get there. Unfortunately for the Warriors, time is the one thing they don't have. Their championship core of Curry, Thompson and Green is on the wrong side of thirty and their championship window is closing fast.

Additionally, James Wiseman is still a very unpolished player and will most likely be a liability for the Warriors. Wiseman has very questionable shot selection, and has been criticized by scouts for jacking up bad shots. This will be a huge red flag for the Warriors, because the last thing they want is a 19-year-old taking way shots from two of the greatest shooters in the history of basketball. Wiseman has also been criticized for having tunnel vision and struggling to make the right pass. This would once again create a huge issue for the Warriors because their offense heavily relies on their forwards being able to make the right pass off the pick-and-roll, this is the primary reason why Draymond Green was so effective in the Warriors dynamic offence. Most importantly, Wiseman is extremely inexperienced on the defensive end of the floor and often makes uneducated gambles and mistakes on that end. This is most likely the biggest red flag for the Warriors because that's why they resisted from investing substantial resources into that position in the first place. They figured that none of their centers could remain on the floor in important games due to their defensive limitations and they would have to resort to playing Draymond Green at center. If Wiseman can't stay on the floor in the playoffs because he is too much of a liability on defense, it will most likely result in the Warriors front office losing their jobs.

So, what is the Warrior's best course of action? It truly depends on their evaluation of themselves. If they think that Curry only has 2-3 good years left, then trading the pick for veterans is probably in their best interest. However, if they believe that Curry's shooting ability will allow him to remain at an elite level for longer that, James Wiseman might be a gamble worth going for. Much like the prospect himself, the gamble of picking James Wiseman has extreme upside. This gamble could allow the Warriors to transition from a dynasty led by Steph Curry to a dynasty led by James Wiseman, all while remaining contenders. Whether they like it or not, the Warriors will have to make an unimaginably tough decision come draft night, a decision that will not only shape their destiny heading into next season, but one that will determine their destiny for decades to come.