James Wiseman won't be a full participant in his second consecutive Warriors training camp due to a meniscus injury, after COVID-19 kept him from participating in his first. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr feels for the former No. 2 overall draft pick, but knows it is far from an ideal scenario for the big man.
“It’s not disappointment, because we’ve known this was going to be the case. It’s more just feeling bad for James. No Summer League for the second year in a row, limited training camp, it’s too bad. But it is what it is, so you end up just having to adapt," Kerr said to The Athletic's Tim Kawakami on "The TK Show."
Wiseman's rookie season got off to a slow start, but the Memphis product showed flashes of the massive potential the Warriors see in him. Unfortunately, as sometimes happens with 7-foot-plus players, injuries were a constant struggle.
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A torn mensicus in mid-April cut Wiseman's rookie season short, and the Warriors' latest update on his return indicated that he will participate in individual drills during training camp. Kerr confirmed Wiseman's involvement, and said his recovery is going well.
"He will be involved in camp, he’s going to be doing some drill work and he’s going to be part of things. The rehab is actually going really well, he’s really coming along and feels good. But because of the nature of the rehab, he has to take his time with contact and the full range of things he’s going to need to be able to do.”
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Given the Warriors' limited depth at the center position, Wiseman's presence will be needed at some point this season. However, the medical staff understandably will be cautious with a big man and a knee issue.
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All the Warriors can do is work Wiseman out and hope he works himself into game shape early in the season, as they look to vault back into the upper echelon of the Western Conference.