The Detroit Pistons took a flyer on James Wiseman — they’ve gained simply 4 video games since buying him.
Eventually 12 months’s commerce deadline, Detroit traded for Wiseman, who the Golden State Warriors took with the No. 2 decide within the 2020 draft. They dealt Saddiq Bey, a younger small ahead who has turn into a productive reserve for the Atlanta Hawks. As for Wiseman, he can barely get on the court docket.
After the commerce, Wiseman began 22 of his 24 video games for Detroit, averaging 12.7 factors, 8.1 rebounds and practically a block per sport. However the Pistons had been 10.1 factors per 100 possessions worse when Wiseman was on the ground, as he dedicated each fouls and turnovers at a excessive fee.
The crew went 2-22 in video games Wiseman performed. This 12 months, Detroit is 0-8 when he takes the court docket, that means the crew would count on to win 5.1 video games over an 82-game season. Granted, the 2-14 Pistons are on tempo for ten wins themselves.
Getting Wiseman, who makes $12.2 million this season, echoes one other ill-fated Pistons deal. One 12 months earlier, Detroit traded for one other disappointing No. 2 decide, Marvin Bagley III. Like Wiseman, Bagley was picked forward of some future superstars — Luka Doncic and Trae Younger for Bagley, LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Haliburton for Wiseman.
However whereas Detroit was making an attempt to get a discount on a excessive draft decide every time, they ignored their very own roster. The Pistons have already got promising younger huge males Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren. Attempting to power extra huge males into the combination is an enormous purpose why Detroit is second-to-last in three-pointers. In the meantime, Bey is making 38.7 % of his threes.
It’s not solely Wiseman’s fault — he’s barely taking part in. However the Wiseman commerce has proved to be an terrible one for the Pistons.
