Former Warriors No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman has found a new team.
The 7-foot-4 center has agreed to a two-year free agent contract with the Indiana Pacers, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday, citing sources.
Wiseman spent last season and briefly with the Pistons after being traded from Golden State to Detroit before the February 2023 NBA trade deadline as part of a four-team deal that also included the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers.
During his rookie season with the Warriors, Wiseman appeared in 39 games (27 starts) and averaged 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.9 blocks while shooting 51.9% from the field, but missed the remainder of the season with a torn meniscus in April. He underwent surgery to repair his knee and will miss the entire 2021-22 season while rehabbing.
Golden State was highly rated on the big man, having selected him with their first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but injuries and inconsistent play have prevented Wiseman from truly developing for the team, and the team's patience has finally run out.
The Warriors parted ways with the 7-footer midway through the 2022-23 season, after Wiseman averaged 8.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.7 blocks while shooting 57.6 percent from the field in 87 games with Detroit.
Detroit was the worst team in the NBA last season, winning just 14 games.
Not only is Indiana getting the fresh start it needs with Wiseman, but the team is also coming off a historic season in which it reached the Eastern Conference finals.
Can Wiseman help the Pacers take the next step and challenge the Eastern Conference powerhouse and reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics? He and the Pacers hope so.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk podcast
