Kerr: ‘Temper expectations' for Wiseman's return, but future is bright

James Wiseman continues to take positive steps in his rehab.

The Warriors' young center participated in post-practice three-on-three work with Draymond Green and Klay Thompson on Wednesday.

The Warriors' need for another big was on full display Tuesday night when Karl-Anthony Towns punished them in a 129-115 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. While Wiseman is progressing, Warriors coach Steve Kerr was quick to point out that the second-year pro, who hasn't played since April of last year, still is a work in progress as an NBA player.

"Really good," Kerr said Wednesday when asked how Wiseman looked after practice in Dallas. "His movement, his conditioning, it's all really coming around. 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."

Wiseman's continued progress is a good sign, but Kerr still wouldn't offer a potential return date.

"Not yet, it's literally day to day," Kerr said. "The fact that they both played today for the first time on the floor together was really exciting and fun to see. The more games and days that James strings together, the better. So, it's been a really good three- to four-week stretch now. It's all heading in a really positive direction, but not enough to where I can say that he's going to play on such and such date."

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The Warriors will be without Green and Wiseman when they face the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night at American Airlines Center. But Golden State will get Thompson back after the shooting guard missed the past two games with an illness.

When Wiseman does return, his playing time likely will be determined on effectiveness and matchups. He'll give the Warriors another big body to use in a potential playoff series against Towns or Denver's Nikola Jokic. But after missing almost an entire calendar year, it's unfair to expect Wiseman to be anything more than a supporting piece on this Warriors team.

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