Start bench cut: Detroit Pistons big man logjam edition

Start bench cut: Detroit Pistons big man logjam edition

Bench: James Wiseman

This wasn’t an easy choice, as both Wiseman and MBIII have an argument to be the backup center next season.

Let’s just hope that Monty Williams isn’t foolish enough to try and play both of these guys at the same time, as we’ve already seen that it’s a disaster.

But Wiseman gets the nod here for a couple of reasons: The first is that he is more of an unknown with a higher ceiling. He has only played 84 games in his career and is just 22 years old, so the Detroit Pistons really don’t know what they have here.

He’s also on an expiring deal, so if he doesn’t work out, the Pistons can just let him walk and gain over $12 million in cap space next offseason. There is no imperative to trade him, and though the team hopes to make a leap next season, they still have time to be patient and see if he can develop into a solid backup.

Wiseman has huge flaws on both ends. He’s still a clueless defender who can’t switch on the perimeter and is often out of position. Offensively he tends to hold the ball too long, take bad shots and isn’t a great passer.

But the physical tools are there and the hope a 22-year-old 7-footer with his athleticism provides will always win out.