With the NBA playoffs six weeks away, there appear to be more questions than answers about James Wiseman.
The Warriors’ 7-foot center has yet to appear in a game this season as he recovers from surgery last April to repair a torn meniscus. While the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has tremendous potential, it remains to be seen how much impact he can make for the rest of the Warriors’ 2021-22 season.
While head coach Steve Kerr told reporters Wednesday that Wiseman has “looked good” in recent scrimmages and remains “day-to-day,” it is fair to remain skeptical about just how much of an impact the 20-year old will have during the stretch run and postseason.
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In fact, one Warriors coach told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews that “it's highly unlikely that Wiseman will be a big part of the Warriors' rotation, particularly in the playoffs.”
Although this is not particularly surprising with the postseason fast approaching, it underscores the fact that the Warriors are taking the long view with Wiseman, all while the veteran core of the roster has championship aspirations for this season.
Led by Steph Curry (soon-to-be 34), Klay Thompson (32) and the injured Draymond Green (turned 32 Friday), the Warriors are trying to balance competing for a title now while simultaneously building for the future.
Although their plan has worked to a degree – the Warriors still have the second-best record in the NBA at 43-20 despite their recent slide – it appears less and less likely that Wiseman will have a major impact on how far the team goes this season.
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"[Wiseman’s] movement, his conditioning, it's all really coming around,” Kerr said Wednesday. “I think from a health standpoint it's really going smoothly, and that's the biggest thing.
"What I will always keep circling back to is this guy needs reps, he needs 1,000 reps, he needs a summer league, he needs a training camp. So, let's temper the expectations but be excited about his future because as he gets those reps, he's got the potential to be a tremendous player."
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With Green injured, Kevon Looney is the only other true big man on the Warriors’ roster. Wiseman’s length and athleticism would provide a much-needed vertical spacing threat on the offensive end, but he remains very raw and struggled defensively in his 39-game rookie season last year.
Given everything the Warriors have said, and left unsaid, it seems clear that any significant impact the 7-footer will have on the Warriors winning another championship is more likely to happen in 2023 -- or beyond -- than 2022.