Detroit Pistons: the Big 5 candidates to play Center this year
No. 5: James Wiseman
The NBA is obsessed with shooters, playmakers, ‘3-and-D’ guys and super athletic wings. Might the highest-rated post player in the draft drop to the Detroit Pistons at No. 7?
Unlikely, but not out of the question. Some mock drafts actually have him available at the seventh pick – and the Pistons passing on him.
Wiseman is a 7-foot-1, 235-pound center who only played three games at Memphis due to NCAA questions about his eligibility.
He has been by most services ranked as the No. 1 player in the Class of 2020 since he was a sophomore in high school. Wiseman is a true big man, with nice post moves and also has a good shooting touch. He could become a monster on defense with a 7-4.5 wingspan with a lot of athletic ability.
But all of this is based on high school and AAU play from a couple of years ago. Not much you can draw from three college games. And, obviously, no private workouts for teams for him to show them his skills.
Many mock drafts have Wiseman going to the Golden State Warriors with the No. 2 pick. However, if the Warriors go for a shooter (they like those), there is a chance that Wiseman drops as the next few teams are not suppose to be looking for a center.
The Hoops Hype survey of mock drafts has Wiseman ranked as the third pick overall.
Interestingly, two of the mock drafts they use have Wiseman going after the Pistons pick: Rookie Wire has him at 8th and NBADraft.net projects Wiseman going down to No. 9.
Would Pistons GM Troy Weaver really pass on Wiseman, a player many had going No. 1, simply because he is a center?
Weaver learned the pro game in Oklahoma City. Yes, playmaking guards like Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul were key to the Thunder’s success, but they also have a really solid center in Steven Adams.
Weaver should realize the value of a legitimate big man as Adams was a major reason the Thunder just had such a surprisingly, successful season.
Weaver has stated he is going to draft the Best Player Available. If that is true, and Wiseman is still on the board at 7, then the Pistons are probably set at center for the next 10 years.