Golden State Warriors Continue to Look Bad After Latest NBA Move

The Golden State Warriors have supported Stephen Curry, who continues to perform well into his age-37 season, by adding veteran players like Buddy Hield, Al Horford, and Jimmy Butler, and drafting young talents such as Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody as solid supporting pieces.

In the 2020 NBA Draft, the Warriors had the second overall pick following an injury-plagued season and selected James Wiseman from Memphis, expecting him to become an athletic, mobile partner for Curry and eventually the team's centerpiece.

However, Wiseman's career was hampered by injuries and underwhelming play; he averaged only 9.9 points and five rebounds in 60 games over two and a half seasons with the Warriors before being traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he failed to stand out on struggling teams.

After signing with the Indiana Pacers in 2024, Wiseman tore his Achilles tendon in the season opener and was later waived in October 2024 when the Pacers opted to sign Mac McClung, a G League MVP and three-time Dunk Champion, to a multi-season contract, potentially ending Wiseman's NBA career.

The Warriors' decision to draft Wiseman is viewed as a major miss, as they passed on other promising players like LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, and Tyrese Maxey, who have become All-Stars, or reliable role players such as Isaac Okoro, Obi Toppin, Devin Vassell, and Aaron Nesmith, who could have provided steady support for Curry.

This outcome underscores the Warriors' ineptitude in the draft, with Wiseman's career struggles serving as a painful reminder of a lost opportunity to secure a franchise cornerstone during Curry's prime.