Saddiq Bey vs. James Wiseman: Who has been better so far?

The most surprising move of the season came when the Detroit Pistons traded Saddiq Bey in a deal that brought back center James Wiseman.

It was surprising because Bey seemed like part of the core coming into the season and also because James Wiseman added another center to a group that already included Jalen Duren, Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Stewart.

It was the type of calculated risk that has become Troy Weaver’s modus operandi, as he tries to add high-ceiling talent at a low cost, hoping one of them eventually pays off.

Wiseman’s stock has been on the rise since joining the Pistons and getting some actual playing time, but it’s still far too early to know whether Weaver’s gambit on another 1st-round bust has really paid off.

Bey has played well in his role for Atlanta, which makes you wonder why the Pistons’ coaching staff wasn’t able to get him to play the same role in Detroit.

But which player has been better so far? That depends on your perspective.

Detroit Pistons: Saddiq Bey vs. James Wiseman

Both James Wiseman and Saddiq Bey have played 14 games for their new teams and are playing similar minutes, though Wiseman’s are coming as a starter and Bey is coming off Atlanta’s bench.

Wiseman is playing 26.9 minutes per game on average, while Bey is getting 25.5 as a reserve. Wiseman would have more run if he could keep out of foul trouble, which we saw again last night, as he was limited to just 19 minutes.

Wiseman is getting 13.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and a block per game as a Piston, while Bey’s numbers have dropped to 10.1 points and 3.9 boards. Both have shot the ball fairly well, as Wiseman is hitting 56 percent of his shots overall and Bey 47 percent.

The big difference is role. Wiseman is starting on a bad team, taking as many shots as he wants and has been up and down defensively. He’s been playing a featured role in Detroit, while Bey has played a complementary one off the bench. Bey is arguably playing his role more effectively, as he is hitting 45 percent of his 3-point shots and taking more than 60 percent of his overall shots from behind the arc.

In other words, Bey has been the ideal bench player while Wiseman has been an inconsistent starter. I’m not exactly sure what the Pistons are doing with Wiseman, as they have often played him with another big, and he has not settled into a role of yet, while Bey has a clear job for Atlanta as they try to make the playoffs.

Which one has been better is really a matter of taste, but I think it’s safe to say Wiseman has flashed the higher ceiling while Bey has shown a much higher floor. If Wiseman becomes a quality starting center next season, then fans will forget about Bey quickly, but if not, this is going to be another Troy Weaver move that gets put under the microscope.