Two-Year Minimum Contract with Partial Guarantee! Can 23-Year-Old James Wiseman Turn His Career Around?

Introduction to James Wiseman's Situation

Remember James Wiseman? The Indiana Pacers have officially signed the 2020 second overall pick, James Wiseman, to a two-year minimum contract with the second year being a team option. According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, Wiseman's contract includes a partially guaranteed first year at $500,000, which becomes fully guaranteed if he remains on the team past January 10, 2025. The second year is a team option with $570,000 guaranteed, which becomes fully guaranteed if he is still with the team on January 10, 2026.

A Decline from a Promising Start

This is a significant drop for Wiseman, who initially signed a four-year, $38.62 million rookie contract as the second pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. His rookie deal's final year earned him $12.12 million, but now he finds himself on a minimum contract with partial guarantees and team options. This stands in stark contrast to his draft classmates: top pick Anthony Edwards signed a five-year, $245 million maximum extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and third pick LaMelo Ball secured a five-year, $204 million maximum extension with the Charlotte Hornets.

A Look Back at Wiseman's Career

Despite his high draft position and potential, Wiseman's career has been underwhelming. During his time with the Golden State Warriors, his performance was disappointing. In his rookie season, he played only 39 games before an injury sidelined him, coinciding with Stephen Curry's resurgence, who averaged 37 points per game and won his second scoring title during Wiseman's absence.

In his second season, Wiseman was ruled out early due to injury, a season during which the Warriors won the championship. Many fans believe that the Warriors might not have secured the title if Wiseman had remained healthy. In his third season (2022-23), Wiseman was traded to the Detroit Pistons after playing only 21 games for the Warriors. His tenure with the Pistons saw him play out the remainder of his rookie contract.

Performance with the Pistons

During his time with the Pistons, Wiseman showed glimpses of his potential but remained inconsistent:

• 2022-23 Season: Played 24 games, started 22, averaged 25.2 minutes, 12.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and shot 53.1% from the field.
• 2023-24 Season: Played 63 games, started 6, averaged 17.3 minutes, 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and shot 61.3% from the field.

While his scoring and rebounding numbers aren't bad, Wiseman's overall impact on the game has been negative. His weaknesses, including high turnover rates, poor execution of plays, and ineffective screens, have overshadowed his raw stats.

The Data Speaks Volumes

Wiseman's on-court impact is starkly negative, as evidenced by advanced metrics:

• 2020-21 Season: Warriors were outscored by 8.8 points per 100 possessions with Wiseman on the court, and outscored opponents by 4.7 points per 100 possessions without him.
• 2021-22 Season: Warriors won the championship while Wiseman was out injured.
• 2022-23 Season (pre-trade): Warriors were outscored by 19.3 points per 100 possessions with Wiseman on the court, and outscored opponents by 2.3 points per 100 possessions without him.
• 2022-23 Season (post-trade): Pistons were outscored by 16.3 points per 100 possessions with Wiseman on the court, and outscored opponents by 1.0 point per 100 possessions without him.
• 2023-24 Season: Pistons were outscored by 13.4 points per 100 possessions with Wiseman on the court, and outscored opponents by 6.5 points per 100 possessions without him.

These numbers highlight Wiseman's significant negative impact on his teams, raising concerns about his future contributions.

The Talent and the Shortcomings

Physically, Wiseman is impressive, standing at 7 feet tall with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and good mobility. The Warriors initially drafted him based on his physical potential. However, potential alone isn't enough; Wiseman's lack of understanding of his role, poor execution of fundamental plays like pick-and-rolls, and general low basketball IQ have been his downfall.

The Path Forward

At this point in his career, expecting Wiseman to suddenly turn things around might be unrealistic. He has already been labeled a draft bust, a stigma that is hard to shake off. For Wiseman to have a successful stint with the Pacers, he needs to adjust to a more defined role, minimize mistakes, and leverage his physical attributes effectively. If he fails to do so, the Pacers might not hesitate to waive him before his contract becomes fully guaranteed.

A Glimmer of Hope?

Wiseman is only 23 years old, and while he is on the fringe of the NBA, he still has time to carve out a niche for himself. If he can develop a better understanding of the game and fit into the Pacers' system, he might find a stable role. However, if he continues to underperform, he could soon find himself out of the league entirely. The upcoming season will be crucial for Wiseman, as he needs to prove that he can contribute positively to an NBA team.

Conclusion

Wiseman's journey so far has been tumultuous, marked by high expectations and significant disappointments. His move to the Pacers represents a new chapter and perhaps a final chance to rewrite his NBA story. With physical tools that many players would envy, Wiseman's future hinges on his ability to translate potential into consistent performance. Whether he can do so remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the clock is ticking for the once highly-touted prospect.