The Golden State Warriors have the second-best record in the NBA, but they haven’t even been at full strength for a single game yet this season. They patiently awaited the return of Klay Thompson to the lineup, but he was not the only starter that has been sidelined with an injury.
The team is also awaiting the return of second-year big man, James Wiseman. Wiseman underwent surgery on his knee last spring and has not yet appeared in a game this season. However, it sounds like he is getting close to making his return.
The team is going to put him through some workouts now that the All-Star Game is behind us. If all goes well, there is a March 1st target date for him to get back on the court. The information comes from a recent episode of the Locked On NBA podcast.
“Pending Wiseman’s post-All-Star break workouts, Golden State hopes to have him in the lineup on March 1. That game is at the Minnesota Timberwolves, in the first game of a four-game road trip.
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If the Warriors can get James Wiseman back in the lineup on the March 1 target date, that will give him approximately 20 games to ramp up before the playoffs. With Draymond Green still out, Golden State could use some additional depth in their frontcourt.”
Getting Wiseman back in the lineup would certainly provide a boost for a Warriors team that is thin in the frontcourt. Without Draymond Green, Kevon Looney has been left as the only healthy center on the roster, as Steve Kerr has opted to go small when leaning on his second unit.
Going small is something that the Golden State Warriors have thrived with in the past and have once again found success this season. But, they are certainly excited to get Wiseman back in the mix to strengthen their rotation.
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It is good that he will have some time to knock off the rust before things pick up in the postseason. The Golden State Warriors have title aspirations and Wiseman producing at a high level would certainly help them make those aspirations come true with another Larry O’Brien trophy.
This stretch of games could also be an audition for next season. If Wiseman plays well and shows that he can contribute to a team looking to win now, he should be locked in as their starter in 2022 and beyond. If he struggles to make an impact and it seems that he needs more development, the team could look to make a splash trade this offseason.
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With the title window for Stephen Curry, Thompson, and Green getting closer to being closed, the organization will do everything they can to help that trio win as much as possible until then. If that includes parting ways with someone such as James Wiseman to bring in an established center, it is something Bob Meyers will have to seriously consider.
