James Wiseman was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He is well-known for being an athletic big man with some shooting ability. While he hasn’t looked like an immediate star-level player for the Golden State Warriors, he has definitely shown some promising flashes during the 2020-21 season.
This season, James Wiseman hasn’t played a single game as he has been rehabilitating his right knee. He was ramping up via G-League games at one point, but it was reported that he was shut down due to knee swelling previously. Now, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has revealed that James Wiseman has officially been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman has been ruled out for the rest of the season and will continue rehabilitating his right knee, the team said Friday.
Wiseman has been recovering from a meniscus repair that he had in April 2021, and recent swelling in his right knee precluded him from continuing on a path to return this season. There are no plans for another surgery, the team said.
“Ultimately, very simple: We’re protecting James’ future,” coach Steve Kerr said. “It makes the most sense to take this route. Again, I feel terrible for James. He’s been through so much already in just two seasons. But, his long-term health looks good, the knee looks sound. It’s just a decision that makes the most sense for his own best interest, and his as well.”
There is no doubt that James Wiseman could have helped the Warriors on multiple fronts. He would give the team some much-needed rebounding and athleticism, and he would have done well as a lob threat for the team.
With that being said, the Golden State Warriors have done well without their young center this year. They are currently the third seed in the Western Conference. Many people consider the Warriors a legitimate contender, and we’ll see how well they do in the playoffs.
