When it comes to disastrous decisions by the Golden State Warriors, at least in recent history, few come close to the franchise’s decision to select James Wiseman with the second pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Hoping to develop another All-Star who could lead a new generation and extend their dynasty, Wiseman was anything but a success for the Warriors before he was traded in February of last year after just 60 games for the franchise.
There has been a lot of talk about what Golden State could or should have done with the second pick instead, including on the latest episode of The Hoop Collective, where ESPN’s Tim Bontemps didn’t hold back in his criticism of the selection.
… “They drafted James Wiseman, which was obviously a disaster. At the time, there was talk that they would also consider Tyrese Haliburton with this pick,” said Bontemps. “I definitely should have done that, I could have basically gone in any direction except James Wiseman’s, which turned out to be a pretty epic flop.”
While Wiseman averages 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in his career, Haliburton has already become a two-time All-Star, an All-NBA Third Team selection, an Olympic gold medalist and a franchise player on the Indiana Pacers team that reached the Eastern Conference finals last season.
There are doubts as to whether Haliburton was a realistic option for the Warriors, as he was ultimately selected 12th overall, but the Warriors undoubtedly liked the 6-foot-5 guard, as they have admitted in the years since.
The whole debacle has now taken an ironic turn this offseason. After Golden State apparently had the choice between Wiseman and Haliburton in the draft, the two will now play together starting next season.
After just over a year with the Detroit Pistons, Wiseman signed a two-year, $4.8 million contract with the Pacers as a free agent (team option for the second year). If Haliburton can help his teammate, the 2020 lottery pick, develop and shed the “flop” image, it would only make things worse for Golden State.
At least the Warriors can say they got something out of this draft decision, as they traded Wiseman in exchange for Gary Payton II, who will still be on the roster next season.