2019-2020 College/Draft thread (Part 6) -LOTTO 8/20 DRAFT 10/16!

[Zenzibar]

Not everyone is convinced.

https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/news/wiseman-prospect-breakdown
How Strongly Should the Knicks Consider Drafting James Wiseman?

Kris Pursiainen
Jun 21, 2020

[This is the 14th prospect in the 2020 draft that I've done a breakdown on. You can read about Cole Anthony here, Deni Avdija here, Tyrese Haliburton here, Anthony Edwards here, RJ Hampton here, Killian Hayes here, Onyeka Okongwu here, Obi Toppin here, Devin Vassell here, LaMelo Ball here, Tyrese Maxey here, Kira Lewis Jr. here, or Isaac Okoro here.]

James Wiseman is a 7'1" freshman center who averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 3.0 blocks in 23.0 minutes per game on 76.9% shooting for the University of Memphis. After three career games, he faced a fine and suspension from the NCAA for a 2017 acceptance of money for moving expenses from Penny Hardaway. Wiseman chose not to return following that suspension, despite wanting to have a "great collegiate career," because he was unable to pay back the $11,500 without receiving help from others and didn't want to risk an injury.

Wiseman is an impressively athletic big man who should soon find himself as a team's athletic rim-running and paint-defending starting center. Wiseman is large, at 7'1" and 237 pounds, as well as lengthy - boasting a wingspan of 7'6". When running up and down the floor, Wiseman can move incredibly well for someone of his size - something he confirms with the vertical leap he demonstrates when he has the necessary (and admittedly somewhat worryingly large) space to take off.

I wouldn't project Wiseman to be having the ball in his hands as often as he might be used to; I believe his optimal NBA role, at least for the first few seasons of his career, is as a screen-setting C who frequently tries to present himself as a lob threat as a means of vertically spacing the floor to compensate for the lack of creation of typical spacing - sound familiar?

When Wiseman rolls and gets fed the ball down low, his strong frame helps him finish plays - even if it requires his rebounding skills to get a few extra looks inside. As a post player, Wiseman has flashed potential with his combination of finesse and power moves, but has too many possessions result in low-percentage fadeaways for me to be convinced of anything just yet.

In terms of his ability to space the floor, which I briefly touched on earlier, he simply has trouble doing it. Despite still having potential as a shooter, something his 70.4 FT% and decent shot form lead me to say, he currently struggles with looks from behind the arc due to a simple lack of range from the mid-range or further out.

Wiseman had much larger troubles with shooting in high school, but those stemmed from his vastly different playstyle - which itself was just a seized opportunity to dominate the ball. In college, he reined in his shot selection, and showed development in regards to becoming the efficient type of center he should hope to be in the NBA.

As a defender, Wiseman is a strong rim protector in part because of his athleticism, but also simply due to somewhat intelligent defensive instincts down low. Simply seeing him waiting in the paint can cause guards to change their plans, but Wiseman's peripheral awareness isn't the best - leading him to bite on fakes and potentially not notice a cutting player who might capitalize and quickly score inside.

If Wiseman can see the ball handler, or whatever it is that's happening on the court, he has an easy time analyzing the situation and optimally placing himself to get a stop. He has a strong work ethic and is an intelligent center - he just needs to work on becoming a more aware all-around defender.

I limit Wiseman to the rim running-and-defending role because he struggles off the dribble due to an unrefined handle and too often makes inaccurate and untimely passes for me to see any potential as a playmaker. Defensively, his trouble with lateral movement and tendencies to bite for pump fakes or rotate incorrectly lead me to think that he might give up more points as a perimeter defender than he's able to stop from being scored as an interior one.

Despite certainly flashing potential as a dominant two-way center, Wiseman comes with too many question marks and in my opinion did not set himself up to project as a better player than current Knicks center Mitchell Robinson - this prohibits me from being able to suggest that the Knicks use a high lottery pick on his services. I believe in drafting the best player available in the lottery when a team doesn't have the talent to do otherwise, even if that means "double-drafting" a position, but Wiseman's draft profile (as well as the existence of numerous other similarly-graded prospects who play different positions) does not lead me to want to shake the roster up to accommodate him.

The Knicks should certainly still (virtually) meet with and gather intel on James Wiseman - but unless someone like the team's Assistant GM and Director of College Scouting Walt Perrin makes a massive push for Wiseman to end up a Knick this fall, I doubt we see the center, formerly of Memphis, don the famed orange and blue.

Watch on YouTube

[mpharris36]

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1972734

LaMelo just squeaked Edwards in our Poll with 45 total votes (good showing).

With LaMelo now the consensus #1 he is now off the board and voting will begin for #2 on our big board.

[3toheadmelo]

If 3toheadmelo’s guy Randle is really a magnet for Top 2 picks I’d rather go Wiseman and Cade rather than LaMelo and Evan Mobley.

Lamelo is like the dollar store version of Cunningham and Mobley is no better than Mitch

you certainly have turned a corner...

It’s true though. Cunningham would go #1 in this draft and Mobley is not that good. I already started my “Mobley is overrated” chants on the draft board which seemed to upset some people

[mpharris36]

Lamelo is like the dollar store version of Cunningham and Mobley is no better than Mitch

you certainly have turned a corner...

It’s true though. Cunningham would go #1 in this draft and Mobley is not that good. I already started my “Mobley is overrated” chants on the draft board which seemed to upset some people

I don't disagree, you kinda were give me a top 3 pick this year though.

Now your just like Wiseman or bust

[3toheadmelo]

you certainly have turned a corner...

It’s true though. Cunningham would go #1 in this draft and Mobley is not that good. I already started my “Mobley is overrated” chants on the draft board which seemed to upset some people

I don't disagree, you kinda were give me a top 3 pick this year though.

Now your just like Wiseman or bust

[Deeeez Knicks]

Cade looks better then anyone in this draft. But you can't draft based on hoping you get the #1 pick next year. Worry about this draft, and if we end up with the #1 pick next year it's a great problem to have.

[mpharris36]

Cade looks better then anyone in this draft. But you can't draft based on hoping you get the #1 pick next year. Worry about this draft, and if we end up with the #1 pick next year it's a great problem to have.

basically you can't not draft a PG this draft because Cade is better. You would at best have a 14% chance at Cade next year best case scenario. Those are horrible odds

[Deeeez Knicks]

Cade looks better then anyone in this draft. But you can't draft based on hoping you get the #1 pick next year. Worry about this draft, and if we end up with the #1 pick next year it's a great problem to have.

basically you can't not draft a PG this draft because Cade is better. You would at best have a 14% chance at Cade next year best case scenario. Those are horrible odds

But let's keep accumulating bigs

[robillionaire]

there is a solid player at any position you want to draft for next year if you're drafting for need, as long as we lose enough games. I'd just take BPA. several good options

[god shammgod]

Not everyone is convinced.

https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/news/wiseman-prospect-breakdown
How Strongly Should the Knicks Consider Drafting James Wiseman?

Kris Pursiainen
Jun 21, 2020

[This is the 14th prospect in the 2020 draft that I've done a breakdown on. You can read about Cole Anthony here, Deni Avdija here, Tyrese Haliburton here, Anthony Edwards here, RJ Hampton here, Killian Hayes here, Onyeka Okongwu here, Obi Toppin here, Devin Vassell here, LaMelo Ball here, Tyrese Maxey here, Kira Lewis Jr. here, or Isaac Okoro here.]

James Wiseman is a 7'1" freshman center who averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 3.0 blocks in 23.0 minutes per game on 76.9% shooting for the University of Memphis. After three career games, he faced a fine and suspension from the NCAA for a 2017 acceptance of money for moving expenses from Penny Hardaway. Wiseman chose not to return following that suspension, despite wanting to have a "great collegiate career," because he was unable to pay back the $11,500 without receiving help from others and didn't want to risk an injury.

Wiseman is an impressively athletic big man who should soon find himself as a team's athletic rim-running and paint-defending starting center. Wiseman is large, at 7'1" and 237 pounds, as well as lengthy - boasting a wingspan of 7'6". When running up and down the floor, Wiseman can move incredibly well for someone of his size - something he confirms with the vertical leap he demonstrates when he has the necessary (and admittedly somewhat worryingly large) space to take off.

I wouldn't project Wiseman to be having the ball in his hands as often as he might be used to; I believe his optimal NBA role, at least for the first few seasons of his career, is as a screen-setting C who frequently tries to present himself as a lob threat as a means of vertically spacing the floor to compensate for the lack of creation of typical spacing - sound familiar?

When Wiseman rolls and gets fed the ball down low, his strong frame helps him finish plays - even if it requires his rebounding skills to get a few extra looks inside. As a post player, Wiseman has flashed potential with his combination of finesse and power moves, but has too many possessions result in low-percentage fadeaways for me to be convinced of anything just yet.

In terms of his ability to space the floor, which I briefly touched on earlier, he simply has trouble doing it. Despite still having potential as a shooter, something his 70.4 FT% and decent shot form lead me to say, he currently struggles with looks from behind the arc due to a simple lack of range from the mid-range or further out.

Wiseman had much larger troubles with shooting in high school, but those stemmed from his vastly different playstyle - which itself was just a seized opportunity to dominate the ball. In college, he reined in his shot selection, and showed development in regards to becoming the efficient type of center he should hope to be in the NBA.

As a defender, Wiseman is a strong rim protector in part because of his athleticism, but also simply due to somewhat intelligent defensive instincts down low. Simply seeing him waiting in the paint can cause guards to change their plans, but Wiseman's peripheral awareness isn't the best - leading him to bite on fakes and potentially not notice a cutting player who might capitalize and quickly score inside.

If Wiseman can see the ball handler, or whatever it is that's happening on the court, he has an easy time analyzing the situation and optimally placing himself to get a stop. He has a strong work ethic and is an intelligent center - he just needs to work on becoming a more aware all-around defender.

I limit Wiseman to the rim running-and-defending role because he struggles off the dribble due to an unrefined handle and too often makes inaccurate and untimely passes for me to see any potential as a playmaker. Defensively, his trouble with lateral movement and tendencies to bite for pump fakes or rotate incorrectly lead me to think that he might give up more points as a perimeter defender than he's able to stop from being scored as an interior one.

Despite certainly flashing potential as a dominant two-way center, Wiseman comes with too many question marks and in my opinion did not set himself up to project as a better player than current Knicks center Mitchell Robinson - this prohibits me from being able to suggest that the Knicks use a high lottery pick on his services. I believe in drafting the best player available in the lottery when a team doesn't have the talent to do otherwise, even if that means "double-drafting" a position, but Wiseman's draft profile (as well as the existence of numerous other similarly-graded prospects who play different positions) does not lead me to want to shake the roster up to accommodate him.

The Knicks should certainly still (virtually) meet with and gather intel on James Wiseman - but unless someone like the team's Assistant GM and Director of College Scouting Walt Perrin makes a massive push for Wiseman to end up a Knick this fall, I doubt we see the center, formerly of Memphis, don the famed orange and blue.

Watch on YouTube

yeah. wiseman sucks. good article.

[3toheadmelo]

Draft BPA which is Wiseman. Worry about getting a PG later. Don’t settle for a trash PG because you’re desperate for one. It’s like the people who wanted trash bags Garland over RJ and we all know RJ is the superior prospect by far.

[mpharris36]

Draft BPA which is Wiseman. Worry about getting a PG later. Don’t settle for a trash PG because you’re desperate for one. It’s like the people who wanted trash bags Garland over RJ and we all know RJ is the superior prospect by far.

[HEZI]

Draft BPA which is Wiseman. Worry about getting a PG later. Don’t settle for a trash PG because you’re desperate for one. It’s like the people who wanted trash bags Garland over RJ and we all know RJ is the superior prospect by far.

I'd trade this pick for Garland in a hurry. Garland would easily be the best PG in this draft. Pair him with up RJ would be nice

[3toheadmelo]

Draft BPA which is Wiseman. Worry about getting a PG later. Don’t settle for a trash PG because you’re desperate for one. It’s like the people who wanted trash bags Garland over RJ and we all know RJ is the superior prospect by far.

I'd trade this pick for Garland in a hurry. Garland would easily be the best PG in this draft. Pair him with up RJ would be nice

Hard pass. I wouldn't even take Garland in the top 5 in this draft

[HEZI]

Draft BPA which is Wiseman. Worry about getting a PG later. Don’t settle for a trash PG because you’re desperate for one. It’s like the people who wanted trash bags Garland over RJ and we all know RJ is the superior prospect by far.

I'd trade this pick for Garland in a hurry. Garland would easily be the best PG in this draft. Pair him with up RJ would be nice

Hard pass. I wouldn't even take Garland in the top 5 in this draft

[Deeeez Knicks]

Overall, the top of the draft just isn't that great. No clear #1, a lot of players with some glaring flaws/holes/questions...more so then other years. Probably not many stars or franchise players in this one.

I like Hayes and have him #2, but it's more so cause i am just not crazy about anyone else.

[HEZI]

Overall, the top of the draft just isn't that great. No clear #1, a lot of players with some glaring flaws/holes/questions...more so then other years. Probably not many stars or franchise players in this one.

I like Hayes and have him #2, but it's more so cause i am just not crazy about anyone else.

Yeah this draft overall has a weird blend of players and not much to really get excited about. There are a few guys I like when compared to the class itself but as far as NBA impact it's looking like a solid but not great draft class.

[mpharris36]

Overall, the top of the draft just isn't that great. No clear #1, a lot of players with some glaring flaws/holes/questions...more so then other years. Probably not many stars or franchise players in this one.

I like Hayes and have him #2, but it's more so cause i am just not crazy about anyone else.

Yeah this draft overall has a weird blend of players and not much to really get excited about. There are a few guys I like when compared to the class itself but as far as NBA impact it's looking like a solid but not great draft class.

I think we will find less busts overall because I think a lot of quality players have good skill sets they can rely on. I think though the top end talent is for sure missing in this draft. The elite potential two way star talent. I don't see that here which I understand peoples concerns overall because for the most part people love to hit it big in the draft.

But I think while there aren't those high level ceiling players. I think a lot of floors in this draft will end up key quality rotational players and starters.

[HEZI]

Overall, the top of the draft just isn't that great. No clear #1, a lot of players with some glaring flaws/holes/questions...more so then other years. Probably not many stars or franchise players in this one.

I like Hayes and have him #2, but it's more so cause i am just not crazy about anyone else.

Yeah this draft overall has a weird blend of players and not much to really get excited about. There are a few guys I like when compared to the class itself but as far as NBA impact it's looking like a solid but not great draft class.

I think we will find less busts overall because I think a lot of quality players have good skill sets they can rely on. I think though the top end talent is for sure missing in this draft. The elite potential two way star talent. I don't see that here which I could sour people overall because for the most part people love to hit it big in the draft.

But I think while there aren't those high level ceiling players. I think a lot of floors in this draft will end up key quality rotational players and starters.

Yeah for sure. This is a rare draft where I'm not that excited about landing a top 3 pick. Would be content just staying where we are and knowing we could land a player with equal type of impact.

[mpharris36]

Yeah this draft overall has a weird blend of players and not much to really get excited about. There are a few guys I like when compared to the class itself but as far as NBA impact it's looking like a solid but not great draft class.

I think we will find less busts overall because I think a lot of quality players have good skill sets they can rely on. I think though the top end talent is for sure missing in this draft. The elite potential two way star talent. I don't see that here which I could sour people overall because for the most part people love to hit it big in the draft.

But I think while there aren't those high level ceiling players. I think a lot of floors in this draft will end up key quality rotational players and starters.

Yeah for sure. This is a rare draft where I'm not that excited about landing a top 3 pick. Would be content just staying where we are and knowing we could land a player with equal type of impact.

yeah it for sure has the potential to be one of those drafts where picks in the middle or end of the lottery could easily be the best player in the draft. Rarely can you say that.