James Wiseman is considered the best center in this year’s draft, but he doesn’t want the Timberwolves to take him with the No. 1 pick, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Windhorst made the comments on “The Scoop” podcast with Darren Wolfson, saying Wiseman would prefer not to join a team that already has an established center in Karl-Anthony Towns.
‘“Wiseman does not want to come to Minnesota because Karl Towns is there,” Windhorst said. “From what I understand, Wiseman doesn’t even want to do anything with the Wolves.”
The 24-year-old Towns is the centerpiece of the rebuilding project in Minnesota and is under contract through 2023/24. He’s already a two-time All-Star and averaged 26.5 points and 10.8 rebounds last season. Neither Towns nor Wiseman seems suited to play power forward in a twin-towers approach.
If Windhorst’s claim is accurate, it seems to set up a trade for the No. 1 pick, possibly involving the Warriors, who hold the second choice, or the Hornets, who are at No. 3. Both teams attended Wiseman workouts recently and both have a need to upgrade at center. A report earlier this week indicated that Charlotte is willing to trade up to get its hands on Wiseman.
Wiseman is ranked third on ESPN’s list of the top 100 prospects. Although he only played three games in college, his combination of size and athleticism has many scouts believing he can become a dominant NBA center.
Who would actually want to go to Minneapolis-St.Paul?
Lots of people, sadly they’re all boring
For nearly ten million dollars you can sign me up to go to Minneapolis.
Same reason why the Padres get so many free agents despite never having won a title.
People that think Portland is now a burning dumpster .
The city of Portland has been run into the ground that 3rd world countries in Africa look better than Portland
You watch to much propaganda TV news. The protest is in about 3 blocks of the city of over 1000 plus blocks. It is funny how TV news over drama things. There is probably more arrest at your local walmart than in Portland.
Only 3 blocks? Lol
Well…”Fargo” is a good movie. I wouldn’t be crazy about that scenery, though. I’m just going to assume that movie sums up Minnesota.
Fargo is in North Dakota
I’m guessing you haven’t actually seen the movie.
It’s in Florida
Q: If somebody offered you, say, $25k to “mention” (on tv) that a guy prefers this team over that team, or doesn’t want to play there or there… would you do it?
Something will come out today or tomorrow that says that this is misinformation – that Wiseman has nothing against Minnesota.
Darren Wolfson*
Hornets offer
3 and next year protected First？
3 and a young player？who ?
If they trade next year’s first to move up two spots I’m going to be livid. This draft isn’t that loaded with top, generational type talents. The Wiseman connection is based purely on need, and Mitch had said they wouldn’t draft based on need. They needn’t be foolish here. Take the best available player not named Ball at #3.
reports out of GSW is they take Wiseman or Edwards with the #2 pick. Both players has shown they are NBA ready. Ball is dropping down to #5 Cavs.
Any “report” about this years draft is entirely foolish, cmon you know this. There’s really nothing stopping any of like 12 guys going #1.
list the 12. There is about 5 players that could go 31 not 12. the 2 most likely are Wiseman and Edwards.
I this will be one of the least predictable drafts with no one able to separate themselves from the pack. I agree that any number of player could go #1 based on less evidence than what other #1 picks have needed to get picked there in the past.
Would the Knicks have a possible trading opportunity by trading their 8th and 27th picks plus Julius Randle for the pick plus a bad contract?
I’m obviously a Knicks fan. You
8,27 and Mitch for 2 and Wiggins
Is better than
Randle for Horford and 2 Knicks future Firsts
Reporter says Horford contract is 3 years tragedy for Knicks
That’s too much to give up to move up. This Wiseman guy hasn’t proven anything yet. He only played 3 games at Memphis which weren’t that impressive. 8, 27, Randle, plus a bad contract? that’s insane dude.
He played 3 games in college. Who cares what he wants?
He knows he will be traded if picked by Wolves. Why would they pick him anyway unless him or Townes is traded. What Wolves need is a third scorer.
Trade Towns for Wiggins lol
The best thing he has going for him is that he only played 3 games in college. The way the NBA works is that the more they see of you against good competition, the more they have to scrutinize. LaMelo Ball scored a bunch of points in Australia and Latvia (I think). Wiseman basically did nothing except gets his height and wingspan measured. Of course, Anthony Edwards played mediocre against good competition in college and he’s still a top prospect, so who really knows what these people think?
The league Ball played in is not a top league wouldn’t even be compared to the G league on division 1 college. Ball is very raw and will take a few years to capture his potential. Sounds like he didn’t impress GMs in his interviews. Yu can have loads of talent but no drive to be the best.
That was my point. Ball scored a lot of points in a weak league. Better than high school, but probably not better than upper tier D-I college. He didn’t want to get exposed against good competition.
I don’t think GMs will be that patient with him. He is going top 5 for sure, which carries a hefty yearly salary. Owners are going to be willing to wait that long for someone to learn on the job. Especially if he gets picked by a team looking to win soon like Minnesota or Golden State. Just look at Markelle Fultz. He went from being overall #1 to trade fodder in a very short time.
Fultz turned out to have an affliction; nothing like that is known about Ball, so it’s a reach to compare… so is MIN to GSW!
Everyone knows Ball’s level of competition and accounts for that. They are looking for transcendence because that’s who wins titles, so the trendy theory goes. That’s his flaw— Ball might be ordinary!
I have not judged his interviews because nobody is saying why they are so bad. It’s probably intentional; the source seems to assume so. Or, he disdains normality.
Interesting to compare de-marketing strategies… Ball clowning interviews, and Wiseman with his nyet. What will Edwards do?— because nobody wants MIN if GSW is next!
The knives are coming for sophmores not named Doncic or a few more.
The comparison with MIN and GS was not in the team’s ability to win, it was in their desire to compete immediately. So I think it is apt.
Nothing like that was known about Fultz before he was drafted either. That was the whole point of my argument. The less known about a player, the better for him.
If the man is intentionally tanking his interviews, that will tell an employer about his character as well. That could easily be the flaw, because I have heard LaMelo speak. He does not seem to be intelligent enough to be able to fool professional interviewers.
As far as Wiseman, it doesn’t really matter what he wants. If Minnesota drafts him and he wants to play in the NBA, then he will play for them. Those are the rules of the NBA. I really don’t think he will choose not to sign. And if he does, he is an idiot.
A wise man
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Rockets and Warriors in a 3 way where the Rockets end up with Thompson and #1 pick and the Warriors get Harden.
I mean second pick.
Rather second pick
GSW would never do that trade. Thompson is a huge piece of the defense that they lacked last year. I would pick Thompson over Harden any day just because his defense is so big of a factor.
Especially to pair with Steph and Draymond. Harden is a ball dominate player. GSW use a ball moving offense. The two are like oil and water. There is zero chance Harden gets traded to the Warriors. That would be the rare trade where both teams get worse.
Useless trade idea but anything to explode a Rockets fan’s head lol
Wow! That would be crazy! Harden in the Warriors would be a perfect fit and make them an immediate title contender if they weren’t already.
Giving up Thompson for Harden makes the Warriors worse, not better.
This!!!
I mean Rockets get Thompson and #2 pick.
Rather #2 pick and CT
Trade Towns to GSW then, problem solved!
Horrible for his agent, with or without the kid’s consent, to put this out or allow it to be put out. It could easily cause him to drop well beyond where he “wants” to go.
Allow it? You think Windhorst needs an agents permission to comment?
Wiseman knows he will make more money being a starter than Townes back up for a few years.
A report like this that gets to Windhorst is coming from or at the instance of his agent. You think Windhorst got this directly from the player? Really?
Nah, I think a “report” like this is Windhorst’s speculation based on what he sees as evidence.
If wolves pick him #1 they probably trade him to another team. last theing Wiseman wants is to be on a team like the Knicks or Hornets.
Would LOVE for someone offer too much and let the Wolves trade back and gain capitol or dump a bad contract….or BOTH
Probably a smokescreen but this is great for the wolves if true, trade the pick for somebody to jump gs and/or charlotte and pick up a vet and a lower pick.
Hornets seem like best destination for Wiseman. They should trade up. Wiseman is a generational pick. You can’t teach size. Fact he spoke up against KAT. Means he ain’t playing, he wants to make his own mark. At Center. Warriors is a good place too. But they will settle for Edwards or a trade. Warriors can find a Center in FA. Edwards can play off the bench till he grows. Or they can also trade down. For a Toppin or Okongwu. Both are more ready to help next yr. And also getting extra assets. Draft night will be fun. Expect a few trades. This draft may not be deep. But it’s entertaining. When a 10th pick could be as good as the 3rd pick. Wiseman and Edwards are only ones worth Trading up for. Both NBA size and talented. Size does matter lols.
Size doesn’t supersede talent. There have been a lot of big guys who have completely washed out in the pros. As a Charlotte fan I don’t want them to trade up. If Wiseman is there at #3 and they want him, fine. You don’t give us assets as a rebuilding club though unless it’s for a generational talent. Those are guys like Jordan, Kobe or LeBron. Wiseman has barely played and I don’t see any way he’s a generational talent. Solid starter? Possibly. You don’t trade up for that roll of the dice though.
I guess you haven’t watched him. YouTube it. Study it if you can. He’s 19 and more talented than 70% of centers in league now. I’m telling you he IS a generational talent. When you add size to that. It means he is for real. He’ll be better than Ayton and he went #1. Size and talent is the formula for greatness. Look at any player with size and talent at their position. Bron, Luka, AD, Embiid . You may not believe it. But I do. He’s got potential to be a 2way force. I don’t talk without researching. I got good eyes and vision. Don’t mean I’m always right. But I would take him #1 for Charlotte.
He’ll be lucky to go in the top 5. Minnesota ain’t taking that future bust.
Wolves have Towns so obviously they should go with Anthony Edwards…
They probably will, if they keep the pick. I just think A Edwards is A. Wiggins 2.0
If they take a wing, it needs to be for defense, not offense
Warriors can draft Edwards and trade him for Covington. Rox hate defense anyway…
I dont think Edwards will be available at #2 if the Wolves keep the #1