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NBA Insider Reveals Possible Trade Options For Warriors’ James Wiseman: “To The Blazers To Bring [Gary Payton II] Back”

Coming into the 2020 NBA draft, James Wiseman was one of the top prospects available alongside Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. Wiseman offers length and size at the frontcourt position, which made him such an ideal prospect for the Golden State Warriors.

Drafted as the No.2 overall pick, Wiseman averaged 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game on 51.9% shooting from the field in his rookie year. But due to a meniscus injury, Wiseman only played 39 games and was also ruled out for the entirety of the 2021-22 NBA campaign.

Now coming back from his injury, this 2022-23 NBA campaign hasn’t been entirely kind for the 21-year old Warriors big man. Though Wiseman isn’t expected to play like a star, there’s at least some expectation that he could bring in some meaningful numbers for the Warriors this season.

Wiseman has already played 11 games, but still hasn’t really made much of an impact for the Warriors who are currently 7-9 to start the season. Furthermore, Wiseman was sent to the G-League earlier this week in an effort to help him progress.

Amid Wiseman’s struggles, NBA insider Sean Deveney of Heavy.com revealed that a Wiseman trade could be a possibility for the Warriors going forward. He then mentioned some potential trade candidates to replace the young Warriors center.

There has been chatter in NBA circles about the possibility of the Warriors trading Wiseman, with more experienced big men—swapping Jakob Poeltl of the Spurs for Wiseman is one trade possibility that has made the rounds—coming back in the deal.

The Warriors also could look to move Wiseman for general depth, which is a need for a team that ranks last in the NBA in bench net rating (minus-7.2). The likes of Toronto’s Gary Trent Jr., Utah’s Malik Beasley or Memphis’ Dillon Brooks would be ideal, though the Warriors might have to give up too much (some combination of Donte DiVincenzo, Jonathan Kuminga and/or Moses Moody) to make salaries match for a deal to work.

Knowing what a good fit Gary Payton II was before leaving for a payday in Portland this summer, the Warriors even could look to swap Wiseman to the Blazers to bring him back.