© Kelley L Cox | 2016 Nov 9
Seven-foot-one Memphis product James Wiseman is at the top of most draft boards, but what about the Warriors’? That depends on who you ask.
Warriors beat writer Connor Letourneau says that Wiseman, who played just three games at Memphis amid a payment scandal, isn’t even in Golden State’s top five. Other reports, like this one from Ric Bucher, say that Wiseman is indeed Golden State’s first choice should they get the No. 1 pick, of which they have a 14 percent chance of landing.
Longtime college basketball expert Jay Bilas broke down the situation on Tolbert, Krueger and Brooks on Thursday, and said that if he were the Warriors, he’d take Wiseman No. 1 overall.
“If Golden State were to get the first pick, if it were me, James Wiseman would be the pick,” Bilas said. “At least for me because I think he’s the best prospect, but I think it’s pretty close. Anthony Edwards is a freak athlete and a ridiculous scorer, he just doesn’t know how to play yet.
“But I’m a big believer in Wiseman and his ability level. I think he could be special.”
The Warriors haven’t had a consistant presence at the center position since Andrew Bogut, with DeMarcus Cousins last year only providing productivity in spurts. Wiseman would make sense from a fit standpoint, and his 7′ 4.5″ wingspan is no doubt enticing to Warriors GM Bob Myers, who values length as a key defensive attribute.
Edwards was arguably college basketball’s biggest star last year, averaging 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. As a 6′ 5″ wing, it’s unclear how he’d fit on the Warriors as currently constructed.
Listen to the full interview below.