For a young player, the NBA can be unforgiving. Teams will only excuse them for so long. Yes, youth can lead to poor play. Sometimes, teams will decide that they can’t wait for that play to improve.
Look at James Wiseman of the Detroit Pistons. The Golden State Warriors selected him with the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. That’s quite the investment.
In the end, the Warriors traded him for Gary Payton III and some second-round picks anyway. Wiseman wasn’t playing well. This year, he’s hardly playing at all. Jalen Duren has been outstanding as a sophomore.
That might leave Wiseman without a place on this team. Don’t be surprised if the Pistons think about moving him throughout the season.
Could they send him to the Houston Rockets?
NBA Trade Proposal — Houston Rockets Land James Wiseman
Detroit Pistons Receive: G/F Victor Oladipo, C Boban Marjanovic, 2024 Second-Round Pick (BKN via HOU(, 2024 Second-Round Pick (OKC via HOU), 2025 Second-Round Pick (HOU)
Houston Rockets Receive: C James Wiseman
It’s been a rough start to Wiseman’s career. It could be worse. if he hadn’t been picked in the lottery, he might not be on the current roster. Luckily for Wiseman, teams will remain interested in his upside.
That wasn’t the case for several former Rockets. Usman Garuba, TyTy Washington, and Josh Christopher were all first-round picks.
Many Rockets fans envisioned this trio as part of the team’s future. This summer, the Rockets unceremoniously traded them. They received very little in return – the Rockets were simply clearing cap space.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Wiseman, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets Updates
What became of the three? Well, they’re all on two-way contracts with different teams. We’ll see how their NBA careers go.
As we said, the league can be unforgiving. Should the Pistons give up on Wiseman already?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
Frankly, it was confusing when the Pistons acquired Wiseman in the first place. Duren was in the midst of a fine rookie season. Now, the situation has changed. Duren looks like a potential star. Wiseman has no chance to start for this team moving forward.
If the Pistons look to move him, they won’t get a haul. This will be the second team that Wiseman fell out of favor with. His value will be deprecated.
With that in mind, a trio of second-round picks is a nice return. Who knows? The Pistons could find a steal with two extra cracks at next year’s second round.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Wiseman, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets Updates
Meanwhile, they’re landing two expiring contracts here too. If nothing else, the Pistons are freeing up some cap space. They can’t ask for more from players who can’t seem to stick with a team.
Should the Rockets really take a flyer on Wiseman?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
We know what you’re thinking. Alperen Sengun has been the best player on the Rockets this year. Why are they acquiring a big? Won’t Wiseman just end up stuck in a backup role again?
Sure. On the other hand, he should find a more prominent place in the Rockets’ rotation. Wiseman has functional overlap with Duren, but he’s vastly different from Sengun. In theory, he should be able to provide more defensive value. The Rockets need some rim protection in their rotation.
Moreover, Wiseman could be a larger part of the team’s future. If Amen Thompson breaks out, the Rockets may opt for a defensive big instead of Sengun.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Wiseman, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets Updates
Either way, having Wiseman on the roster makes sense for this team at the moment. If he doesn’t deliver, don’t expect the Rockets to show him any forgiveness.
