Detroit Pistons: Three players to avoid in the NBA Draft

James Wiseman

365 days ago it was largely expected that James Wiseman was going to be the consensus number one overall pick in the Draft. However, after being faced with a 12 games suspension by the NCAA for allegedly receiving moving expenses while he was still in high school, Wiseman elected to leave Memphis after appearing in just three games.

So while there isn’t a ton of recent in-game footage from him, we have a pretty decent idea of what he could be at the next level.

Admittedly it’s highly unlikely that Wiseman will fall to Detroit. Charlotte appears to have their eyes set on him at third overall, but there’s a chance he could go second to Golden State. However, if he somehow slips out of the top three, we could end up witnessing quite the plummet.

Wiseman’s sheer size is what has people excited. He possesses the frame that you hope to see in modern centers, and his ability to finish in the post is undoubtedly excellent.

However, there’s an ongoing theme here. He hasn’t quite established himself as a reliable defender, especially when tasked with facing a pick and roll. That won’t fly in Detroit. It certainly doesn’t help that we haven’t had much visual experience with him against higher profile athletes.

Additionally, Wiseman hasn’t shown that he can be a consistent offensive threat outside of the paint. His jump shot has potential, but once he enters the 12-15 feet range, and beyond, it’s currently an enormous question mark.

Pistons fans just spent the better part of the last decade watching Andre Drummond, a player whose offensive value is held in a confusing regard. While Wiseman isn’t currently labeled as the “true center” that Drummond is, it raises some red flags.

Detroit cannot afford to invest in another big man who can’t leave the paint. We saw how valueless high rebounding numbers can be at times, and that alone can’t be enticing.

It’s also becoming increasingly more clear that Wiseman is actually the second best center in this class, trailing Onyeka Okongwu out of USC. The latter would prove to be a better pick for the Pistons if the elect to go the center route.