The Warriors last Wednesday selected James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft.
When did coach Steve Kerr come to the conclusion that the 7-foot-1 big man was his favorite prospect?
"Kerr said he was convinced that Wiseman was his choice in June when Warriors brass talked to the 19-year-old via Zoom, had his belief strengthened following an in-person workout in Miami (in late October), and didn’t waver even after the team worked out 'eight or nine' prospects in preparation for the draft," The Ringer's Logan Murdock writes.
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Of course when the Warriors met with Wiseman via virtual means in June, they had no idea if he would be available when they were on the clock. They didn't even find out they possessed the rights to the second pick until the lottery was held Aug. 20.
And there always was the possibility that another franchise could leapfrog them by trading up with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 1 overall selection and taking Wiseman.
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Golden State Warriors
But none of that matters now, as the 19-year-old is a Warrior.
“You just rarely see an athlete like James,” Kerr told Murdock. “You rarely see a guy seven feet tall who moves like that with that kind of coordination and hands and character.
"Everybody probably always says this, but I can tell you without hesitation, James was the top guy all along.”
Warriors owner Joe Lacob certainly agrees with Kerr.
Golden State believes Wiseman has all the tools to turn into a star, and will be much more than someone who only catches lobs and protects the rim.
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But for now, he just wants to learn as much as possible and contribute any way he can.
"Just to go in, just learn and just grow and adapt," Wiseman said last Thursday at Chase Center. "I feel that just me coming to my first year, it's going to be a lot [already]. But I'm ready for it.
"And I'm ready for everything, and I'm just willing to come in ... and learn as much as possible and grow my game."