Nobody wants to call an NBA player a “bust”. At least, most of us don’t. Some passionate fans of rival teams may revel in the failures of young players. Still, for the most part, we want to see lottery picks succeed. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always go that way.
Is James Wiseman of the Detroit Pistons a bust? It’s too early to say. With that said, it’s fair to say that Wiseman is not off to a good start. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Wiseman quickly fell out of favor with the Warriors. They sent him to the Pistons, and recently, they don’t look especially enamored with him either. What’s next for Wiseman? It feels likely that the Pistons will eventually move him. They won’t get a haul – Wiseman’s value has taken a hit.
Still, somebody might be interested in the recent lottery pick. Could the Los Angeles Lakers revive his career?
NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Lakers Land Detroit Pistons’ James Wiseman
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Rui Hachimura, G Jalen Hood-Schifino, G/F Cam Reddish, 2029 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C James Wiseman, G/F Alec Burks
Why do NBA players fail? That’s a complicated question. Sometimes, players simply aren’t talented enough. Scouts can misevaluate. On the other hand, sometimes, players simply haven’t gotten the right opportunity. Which is it for Wiseman?
In all likelihood, it’s a bit of both. It does feel fair to say that Wiseman hasn’t landed in the best environment. When he was on the Warriors, they were contending. It was difficult for a young, raw player to make an impact.
Meanwhile, the Pistons acquired him despite Jalen Duren’s presence. This year, Duren has been breaking out. That’s great for Detroit, but it doesn’t leave much room for Wiseman.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Wiseman, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
WIth all of that being said, Wiseman hasn’t done himself a lot of favors. He doesn’t have a bankable offensive skill. His defensive instincts are inconsistent as well. Wiseman remains an impressive athlete, but he doesn’t seem to offer much else so far.
Should the Lakers take a chance on him anyway?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Realistically, this is less about Wiseman than it is about Burks. He’s a fantastic role player. Burks is a knockdown shooter, a strong defender, and a capable secondary playmaker. There’s little question that he’d make the Lakers a better team. Burks is a perfect compliment to LeBron James.
With that said, the Lakers could use some help in the middle as well. Jaxson Hayes has been injured, and even when healthy, he hasn’t provided them with much.
Meanwhile, if Wiseman is ever going to break out, playing alongside James should help him do it. If he can’t carve out an offensive role alongside one of the best playmakers in league history, he never will.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Wiseman, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
What do the Lakers have to lose? Hachimura has been underwhelming. Reddish is closer to solidifying his “bust” status than Wiseman is. The pick that’s being sent out here is protected against disaster.
Should the Pistons even accept this package for Wiseman (and Burks)?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
Burks may be a wonderful role player. He doesn’t seem to be helping the Pistons much. This team is once again one of the worst in the NBA. If that doesn’t change soon, the Pistons may opt to start turning their attention to the future by sending out some veterans.
That’s what they’re doing here. The Pistons are netting some young players in this exchange. Reddish has had a disappointing NBA career so far, but he’s still young.
In theory, he’s exactly the type of player that the Pistons need. Meanwhile, there’s a distinct possibility that Hood-Schifino ends up being a more productive player than Killian Hayes.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Wiseman, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Finally, this pick may be protected. It’s still an asset. There’s a decent chance that the Lakers will have attracted a whole new star by 2029: in that event, this pick is likely to convey. It may be outside of the lottery, but as we all know, even a lottery pick doesn’t guarantee a team any success.
