The Golden State Warriors have encountered fresh disappointment involving James Wiseman, as his struggles now extend beyond the NBA to international play. Once a promising athlete drafted with the second overall pick in 2020, Wiseman’s inability to fulfill expectations is causing new regret for the Warriors, especially as Team USA counts on him during World Cup qualifying matches amid an NBA schedule conflict.
Golden State’s Missed Chance at Drafting a Franchise Player
In 2020, the Warriors were in a unique position to acquire a top-five draft pick to complement their championship-caliber roster. The organization, led by former San Antonio Spurs coach Steve Kerr, hoped to emulate the Spurs’ 1998 success when they paired Tim Duncan with David Robinson. Instead, the Warriors selected the highly athletic center James Wiseman, a decision that has since drawn criticism from fans and analysts alike.
Many debates have emerged over whether drafting LaMelo Ball, trading down, or even relinquishing the pick entirely would have been better options. Regardless, Wiseman’s tenure has been marked by unmet potential and underperformance, exacerbated by a significant ACL injury in 2024 that hampered his development.
Opportunity with Team USA Presents a Chance to Rebound
Despite setbacks, Wiseman was recently included on the Team USA roster for World Cup qualifying—a rare chance for him to regain form on an international stage. The scheduling of these qualifiers by FIBA clashes with the NBA season, preventing many top-tier NBA stars from participating, which opens the door for players like Wiseman to represent their country and perhaps revive their careers.
Alongside Wiseman, Team USA’s roster featured several lesser-known players including former NBA athletes Brandon Knight and Elfrid Payton, as well as G League player David Roddy. While the team lacked star power, Wiseman’s size and athleticism offered hope that he might shine and produce positive footage ahead of NBA Summer League opportunities.
Disappointing Performance Undermines Team USA’s Hopes
In their opening game, Team USA hosted the Dominican Republic in Los Angeles and entered as favorites despite missing top players. The Dominican team, though deprived of some NBA talent like Karl-Anthony Towns, capitalized on the opportunity and defeated the Americans 87-79 in a surprising upset.
Wiseman started at center, logging 24 minutes and contributing nine points, six rebounds, one assist, and two turnovers. However, he struggled defensively against players like Angel Delgado, who posted 11 points and eight rebounds, and Jassel Perez, who scored 20 points. The collective effort from the Dominican Republic proved too strong for Team USA, whose loss highlighted unresolved issues.
Future Qualifying Games Demand Wiseman’s Improvement
With additional qualifying matches ahead, Wiseman faces pressure to elevate his game as Team USA’s path to securing a World Cup berth is uncertain. Multiple losses could result in the nation missing the tournament entirely, a situation that would cast a shadow on an American basketball program preparing to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The responsibility now leans on Wiseman and his teammates to prove themselves capable at the international level. For Warriors fans and observers, however, the prospect of relying on Wiseman remains fraught with unease given his history of setbacks and unmet expectations.
