NBA Draft Preview: Would James Wiseman be too risky for the Sacramento Kings?

Of all prospects in the 2020 draft class, James Wiseman might have the highest ceiling. But he also has a ton of questions surrounding him. The fact that his college career was cut short didn’t help.

Wiseman was suspended by the NCAA after playing just three games for the University of Memphis due to an investigation into improper recruiting practices by Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway. Before the suspension ended, Wiseman withdrew from college to focus on preparing himself for the NBA.

The situation is far from ideal, but it doesn’t change who Wiseman is as a prospect. Despite barely playing in college, Wiseman is still highly coveted among NBA teams.

Wiseman stands 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan. He weighs in around 250 pounds. With size like that he is obviously a center, and he profiles as a relatively traditional one.

The 19-year-old Wiseman could be selected anywhere in the top 10. Every team will have a different take on him. He could go No. 1 overall or he could slide down the board quickly. For now, it is best to assume he is going somewhere in the first five picks.

STRENGTHS

The scouting report on Wiseman starts with his physical gifts. His size and length combine with tremendous athleticism and speed, allowing him to be a terror on both sides of the floor and while running in transition.

He moves swiftly across the court, but his game is strongest near the basket. On offense he is an excellent rim runner, a gifted roll man and an explosive play finisher. On defense, he is a powerful shot blocker.

Rebounding is also a strength for Wiseman, though that is mostly due to his size. He has room to grow in this department if he can get more physical on the glass. The tools of an elite rebounder are there. Wiseman just has to utilize them.

Another positive aspect to Wiseman’s game is his touch, which is strong but not elite. He has a nice set of post moves in his arsenal and some ability to hit mid-range jumpers. He can’t be relied upon to hit deeper shots, but there is hope for that skill to develop.

WEAKNESSES

The shooting upside can actually become a weakness for Wiseman at times. His shot selection is suspect at best. He settles for turnaround jumpers too often when he should rely on his size to get to the cup. He’s better off getting the ball delivered to him than creating his own shot with the ball in his hands.

His limited range as a shooter also tends to clog the paint. Decision making issues show themselves in that regard as well. Even when he doesn’t have the ball, he tends to camp in the lane and is slow to get out of the way for driving teammates.

His overall awareness and feel for the game is questionable. He has mental lapses, especially on defense. Once he is on his man he is disruptive, but when he is drawn out to the perimeter he struggles with identifying switches. He isn’t nearly as good at defending pick-and-rolls as he is at running them.

Finally, his passing leaves something to be desired. More and more centers are becoming positive passers, but Wiseman is not a part of that modern revolution. He is mostly an old-school center, which could limit his upside in the NBA.

FIT WITH THE KINGS

With Wiseman locked into the center position, the Sacramento Kings need to evaluate their current frontcourt and determine if Wiseman would work with Marvin Bagley, Richaun Holmes and Nemanja Bjelica.

Bjelica and Wiseman would actually be a great fit. One can dominate the paint and one can launch threes from anywhere on the court. The fit with Bagley isn’t Ideal, as neither has a reliable 3-point shot. Holmes, like Wiseman is a true center, so one of them would need to be comfortable coming off the bench.

Overall the fit is fine. The Kings don’t have a franchise center, and the hope with Wiseman is that he can fill that role.

But one thing that might unsettle Kings fans about Wiseman are the slight Willie Cauley-Stein vibes he gives off at times. There are questions about Wiseman’s motor and consistency, especially on defense.

Cauley-Stein once compared himself to Kristaps Porzingis, a big man with a very different skill set. Wiseman has compared himself to Giannis Antetokounmpo. While it’s good to have high hopes, Wiseman might not fully understand his limitations.

Ultimately though, Wiseman is a young man that will learn a lot over the next few years. If he plays within himself, he could be one of the best centers in the league. He is worth the risk.

Wiseman should be near the top of Sacramento’s draft board. Landing a highly skilled 7-foot pick-and-roll partner for De’Aaron Fox would be a huge success. Wiseman will be a top-three option for the Kings on draft day.