James Wiseman is getting another shot at sticking in the NBA, and this one comes in a place few Warriors fans probably expected to see.
The former Golden State No. 2 overall pick has signed an Exhibit-9 contract with the defending champion New York Knicks, giving him a chance to battle in training camp for one of the team’s two remaining standard roster spots. With Mitchell Robinson gone to the Celtics in free agency, New York is carrying just two centers on standard deals right now: Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond.
That setup creates an opening, and it also creates an obvious storyline. Knicks coach Mike Brown was on the Warriors’ staff during Wiseman’s first two seasons, so he already knows the 6'11" big man well.
Brown saw what Wiseman could offer, and he also saw what kept him from becoming a reliable piece. The question now is simple: Can Brown get through to him in a way Steve Kerr and the Warriors never could?
Wiseman’s NBA path since leaving Golden State hasn’t exactly changed the narrative. After his 2.5-year run with the Dubs, he spent time with the Pistons and Pacers, and the results didn’t move the needle much.
In 1.5 seasons with Detroit, he averaged 8.6 points and 6.1 rebounds, but the underlying numbers were rough. Per Cleaning the Glass, his net ratings were minus-17.8 in his rookie year with the Warriors, minus-22.8 in his second healthy season with Golden State, minus-13.9 in the first half season with the Pistons, and minus-8.5 in the 2023-24 season with Detroit.
Over two seasons with Indiana, he appeared in just five games.
Even with all that, Wiseman is only 25, and his physical tools still stand out. For a player his size, he has above-average athleticism, and while the offensive-star expectations are long gone, there’s still a role he could chase by bringing energy, finishing around the rim, crashing the glass and protecting the basket.
If there’s a template in front of him, it’s Robinson. Brown watched Robinson’s defense and offensive rebounding help power New York’s 2025-26 title run, and that’s the kind of impact Wiseman would be wise to study.
His story also remains tied to Golden State’s bigger collapse. The decision to draft Wiseman and then hold onto him until his value had cratered played a major role in the Warriors dynasty unraveling.
That said, a bust label can turn into an unfair pile-on, and the front office deserves the heaviest blame for taking him at No. 2 in the first place. Joe Lacob and Bob Myers are the ones who should wear the 2020 draft mistake.
Wiseman worked hard, by all accounts, but injuries and other factors kept it from clicking in Golden State. Now he gets one more chance to carve out a real NBA role, and maybe prove he can still become a useful pro.
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