James Wiseman Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Warriors Rumors: Curry, Klay, Wiseman, Oubre, More

May 24th, 2021 at 2:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Warriors star Stephen Curry will be entering a contract year in 2021/22, but he’ll be eligible to sign an extension once the new league year begins in August. And Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers told reporters today that he’s “pretty confident” the two sides will get something done, as Anthony Slater of The Athletic tweets.

Curry is earning a $45.78MM salary next season. Because that amount is technically over the maximum salary, he could only get a 5% raise for the first year of an extension, rather than the usual 20% that veterans are eligible for. Still, that would put him in line for a maximum extension worth a staggering $215MM over four years on a deal that would cover his age 34-37 seasons. It remains to be seen if the Warriors will go quite that high, but after the season Curry just had, the team isn’t likely to low-ball him.

Myers also told reporters today that Curry’s impressive run down the stretch of the 2020/21 season occurred despite a hairline fracture in his tailbone.

“Small hairline, but as I’ve been told the pain was coming more from a contusion,” Myers said (Twitter link via Slater).

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According to Slater (Twitter link), Myers sounded skeptical today that Klay Thompson will be ready to go by opening night in 2021/22. Thompson’s Achilles tear occurred last November, so he won’t be a full year removed from the injury by the time the season starts, says Slater, noting that the idea is to ease the veteran swingman back into action.
Myers said the hope is for James Wiseman to be recovered from his knee surgery in time for training camp, adding that he expects the big man to be on the team next season and doesn’t want to trade him. “I think he can be helpful in the future and in the present,” Myers said of 2020’s No. 2 overall pick (Twitter links via Slater).
Myers said today that he believes the Warriors’ roster is in need of more veterans (Twitter link via Slater). When asked about specific team needs, Myers mentioned a floor-spacing big man, a play-making guard, and more shooting, noting that he’d like any free agent additions to have some playoff experience (Twitter links via Wes Goldberg of The San Jose Mercury News and Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area).
Addressing Kelly Oubre‘s free agency, Myers said he hopes the veteran forward is back and said Oubre has made it clear “he’d like to be here.” However, Myers cautioned that he can’t predict what the market will look like and added that Oubre would have to be comfortable with a bench role (Twitter links via Slater and ESPN’s Nick Friedell).

Warriors Notes: Toscano-Anderson, Wiseman, Poole, Green

May 14th, 2021 at 6:47pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Juan Toscano-Anderson has signed a standard contract that includes a fully guaranteed minimum salary for next season and he’s extremely grateful, as he told Anthony Slater of The Athletic and other media members (Twitter link). The 6’6” Warriors swingman calls it a “life-changing contract, a life-changing signature” and vows to work even harder. “I get kind of paranoid in situations like this,” he said. “I am happy but the real work starts now. I don’t feel pressure but there’s more I need to do, I need to raise the bar.”

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James Wiseman had a spotty rookie season cut short by injury but coach Steve Kerr promises that the No. 2 pick of the draft won’t disappoint in the long run, Marcus White of NBC Sports Bay Area writes. “I have no doubt James is going to make a huge impact in this league,” Kerr said. “He’s gonna be a hell of a player, but it takes time and you can’t rush that process, unfortunately. It just has to happen on its own time, so he’ll get there, but we’ll just have to keep working with him. The good thing is he’s a great student, and he’s a hard worker and got a great approach. “
Jordan Poole has continued to be a key player during the second half of the season, Kendra Andrews of NBC Sports Bay Area notes. The former University of Michigan guard is averaging 13.6 PPG and 2.4 APG since the All-Star break. Poole is under contract for next season and the team holds a $3.9MM option for the 2022/23 campaign.
Draymond Green asserts his defensive impact goes far beyond stats, as he described to Sam Amick of The Athletic in a wide-ranging interview. “One thing I am certain of is that I can (mess) up an entire team’s offense,” he said. “And so, when you look at the impact that I have on the defensive side of the ball, it’s not always going to show up in blocked shots. It’s not always going to show up in steals. But I guarantee you it shows up in your favorite-player-who-I-may-be-playing-against’s mind.”

Warriors Notes: Toscano-Anderson, Wiseman, Paschall, Wolves’ Pick

May 8th, 2021 at 10:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Juan Toscano-Anderson, who is expected to be promoted to the Warriors‘ 15-man roster next week after playing on a two-way contract all season, has impressed coach Steve Kerr with the way he plays the game, writes Marcus White of NBC Sports Bay Area. In a radio interview Friday, Kerr praised Toscano-Anderson for sticking to his NBA dream.

“Twenty-eight years old, he’s bounced around the entire world playing basketball, and I think our fans love him,” Kerr said. “I know we love him as a coaching staff. The guy just gets it. He plays with great energy, he’s smart, he’s tough. He’s improved his skill now as a passer and a shooter to a point where he’s really making a lot of plays out there for us.”

Toscano-Anderson has become a more efficient shooter from everywhere on the court in his second NBA season, White points out. He’s also part of Golden State’s lineup with the best net rating and best offensive rating.

“(When) a guy knows how to play and he can guard multiple spots, he can play in any combination, and that’s his real value to our team,” Kerr said. “He’s not dependent on a certain combination. In pretty much every case, he makes whatever combination he’s with better.”

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Kerr said rookie center James Wiseman is in “great spirits” following meniscus surgery last month, White adds in a separate story. It’s not certain that Wiseman will be ready for the start of training camp, but Kerr said he plans to rehab at the team facility during the offseason. “James is a really willing athlete. Willing, patient. He wants to be here,” Kerr said. “He wants to get better however he can, so we’ll give him every opportunity to improve — both on the floor once he’s ready to get out there, but also obviously in the training room and in the weight room.”
The team isn’t sure if Eric Paschall will return before the end of the regular season, tweets Kendra Andrews of NBC Sports Bay Area. Recovering from a hip flexor strain, Paschall has been able to scrimmage but has barely practiced and is considered day to day.
This year probably presents the best chance for Golden State to earn maximum value from the Timberwolves‘ first-round pick, says Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle. Minnesota’s selection is top-three protected in 2021 and unprotected in 2022, but the Wolves have shown signs of improvement and may not be among the league’s worst teams next season. Minnesota is tied for second in our current Reverse Standings, but could move “down” several spots with a strong finish. If the Wolves have the league’s second- or third-worst record, the Warriors will have nearly a 60% chance of seeing the pick convey this year.

Warriors Notes: Curry, Wiseman, Toscano-Anderson

April 16th, 2021 at 7:56pm CST by Luke Adams

Warriors star Stephen Curry will be entering a contract year in 2021/22 if he doesn’t reach an extension agreement in the offseason with the team. However, he doesn’t sound like someone eager to test free agency. Asked by ESPN’s Rachel Nichols (video link) how much of a priority it is to spend his entire career in Golden State, Curry affirmed that’s his plan.

“It’s always been a priority,” Curry said. “When you look at guys like Dirk (Nowitzki), Kobe (Bryant), that I played against and have heard them talk about what that’s meant, they don’t speak on it lightly. There’s a reverence for that club.

“You never know what can happen, obviously, but I feel like that’s always been something that would mean so much to me. You want to stay competitive, you want to stay in that fight where you’re winning championships. If I can accomplish both, that’s the ultimate goal.”

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Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed on Thursday night that James Wiseman‘s surgery was the more intricate meniscus repair, tweets Nick Friedell of ESPN. That procedure involves a longer recovery time, as we discussed earlier this week. It’s the same route the Grizzlies took with Jaren Jackson Jr., who has yet to play this season.
Anthony Slater of The Athletic breaks down the takeaways from Wiseman’s rookie season and looks ahead to what’s next for the young center, noting that the 20-year-old’s offense was ahead of his defense in year one.
Juan Toscano-Anderson has outplayed his two-way contract this season and figures to earn a promotion to the standard roster at some point, writes Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. “You hope that (two-way) tag doesn’t last too much longer,” Curry said. “But while it does, he’s obviously playing way above that label.”
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report takes a closer look at the challenging financial situation that the Warriors face this offseason and beyond.

Wiseman Out Rest Of Season After Meniscus Surgery

April 15th, 2021 at 6:34pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The rookie season of Warriors center James Wiseman, the second pick in the 2020 NBA draft, is officially over. Wiseman went under the knife for surgery today in Los Angeles to address a right meniscal tear, the team announced in a tweet.

The Warriors, who confirmed that Wiseman will miss the remainder of the 2020/21 season, will supply an update for Wiseman’s recovery timeline in September. The club expects him to return in ’21/22.

Reports emerged on Sunday (as we relayed) that the 20-year-old big man did indeed suffer a meniscus tear and could be in jeopardy of missing the rest of the season as Golden State made a push for a play-in tournament appearance. He will finish his first NBA season out of Memphis having appeared in 39 games, including 27 starts.

The seven-footer posted averages of 11.5 PPG and 5.8 RPG on 51.9% shooting from the floor across 21.4 MPG. Head coach Steve Kerr has opted to sub in veteran big man Kevon Looney as the Warriors’ starting center.

Warriors’ Wiseman To Undergo Right Knee Surgery

April 14th, 2021 at 2:44pm CST by Luke Adams

Warriors center James Wiseman will undergo surgery on his right knee later this week, league sources tell Anthony Slater of The Athletic. The procedure is expected to take place as soon as Thursday, Slater adds.

Wiseman, who injured his right knee on Saturday, reportedly suffered a torn meniscus. The Warriors, who have spent the last few days getting multiple opinions on the injury and assessing the potential options, have decided that surgery is the way to go.

Although Wiseman will go under the knife, the exact nature of the procedure and his possible recovery timeline remain up in the air. As Slater explains, the surgeon likely won’t determine the best course of action until getting a clearer look at the tear during the procedure.

Trimming the meniscus is one option, which would result in about a four-to-six week recovery timetable. A full repair of the meniscus is also being considered and would mean several months of recovery time. The Warriors are comfortable with either approach, according to Slater, who says the rookie’s season is likely over either way, since the club wants to be cautious with the No. 2 overall pick.

In 39 games (21.4 MPG) this season, Wiseman averaged 11.5 PPG and 5.8 RPG on 51.9% shooting. In his absence, Kevon Looney has taken over as Golden State’s starting center. The team is also said to be mulling another frontcourt addition.

Warriors Notes: Wiseman, Center, Oubre, Curry

April 13th, 2021 at 1:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Asked on Monday about James Wiseman‘s status, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said the team was still getting “multiple opinions” on the rookie’s right knee injury. Reports on Sunday suggested Wiseman may miss the rest of the season due to a torn meniscus, but Kerr suggested last night that no decisions have been made yet.

“He had an MRI and so we’re having multiple experts look at the MRI to determine what’s next,” Kerr said, per Nick Friedell of ESPN. “We don’t have any timetable yet. The biggest thing is making sure James is OK. He’s obviously had a lot of adversity this rookie season, with the wrist injury, now the knee injury and of course missing training camp, not having a summer league. He’s really gutted through a lot of difficulty. … And so this is yet another obstacle that’s been put in front of him.”

Here are a few more notes on the Warriors:

Kevon Looney will replace Wiseman in Golden State’s lineup, and Kerr acknowledged on Monday that the team will consider adding another center to its roster before the end of the season, Friedell writes. “We’re obviously very thin in the frontcourt,” Kerr said. “That’s obviously something that we will be looking at as we go forward and once we get word on what James’ prognosis is.” The Warriors currently have one open spot on their 15-man roster and could create a second if they don’t re-sign Gary Payton II when his 10-day deal expires.
Within the same ESPN story, Friedell notes that Kelly Oubre remains day-to-day with the wrist injury that sidelined him on Saturday and Monday. “I talked to him (on Monday), he said he’s feeling better,” Kerr said. “So I don’t think this will be a long absence, but we’ll just continue to say day-to-day.”
Stephen Curry passed Wilt Chamberlain on Monday night to become the all-time leading scorer in Warriors history. With that in mind, Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic explores what Curry and Chamberlain have meant to the Warriors and how both stars changed the game of basketball.

Pacific Notes: Ibaka, Mann, Wiseman, McKinnie

April 12th, 2021 at 5:53pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Clippers big man Serge Ibaka will not join the team on its three-game road trip this week, Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times tweets. He hasn’t played since March 14 due to a back injury.

Ibaka signed a two-year contract with the Clippers last offseason that included a $9.72MM player option for next season. He has appeared in 39 games, averaging 10.9 PPG and 6.7 RPG.

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Patrick Beverley‘s injury has opened up some playing time for Terance Mann, Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register notes. Beverley underwent surgery on Friday for a fractured hand. Mann has played a combined 58 minutes over the last two games, contributing 21 points and 11 assists. “I’ll tell you this, with the guys being injured and guys being out of the lineup, these young guys have really taken advantage of it,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said.
James Wiseman‘s knee injury provides more clarity to the Warriors’ approach to the remainder of the season, Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area writes. No longer concerned with prioritizing Wiseman’s development, they can now either go all out to collect victories and secure a playoff berth, or they can max out minutes for players they plan to build around next season. The No. 2 overall pick could miss the remainder of the season.
Lakers forward Alfonzo McKinnie has been placed under the league’s health and safety protocols and will miss Monday’s game against the Knicks, Jovan Buha of The Athletic tweets. McKinnie played a season-high 27 minutes against Brooklyn on Saturday, recording 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

James Wiseman May Miss Rest Of Season With Meniscus Injury

April 11th, 2021 at 2:50pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

2:50pm: The Warriors have tweeted that Wiseman suffered a “right meniscal injury,” while noting that the team is continuing to evaluate his most recent MRI results.

2:18pm: Warriors rookie center James Wiseman, the No. 2 pick out of Memphis in the 2020 draft, has been ruled out indefinitely with a right meniscus injury. There is concern that Wiseman may miss the rest of the 2020/21 season.

Multiple reporters indicate that the injury is a meniscus tear. Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets that Wiseman has a torn meniscus. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN echoes that statement, though he notes that the Warriors intend to consult with more doctors during the next few days.

Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area tweets that two league sources informed him it was indeed a torn meniscus. Poole adds that the team has called it a meniscus injury while stopping short of confirming that it’s a tear (Twitter link).

After a strong start, Wiseman has had an up-and-down rookie season. Though at one point he had lost his starting role to veteran center Kevon Looney following a February injury absence, he had gotten the starting nod long-term once again beginning on March 23. Head coach Steve Kerr noted last week that Wiseman’s play would dictate his exact minutes load.

Across just 39 games (including 27 starts), the athletic 20-year-old is averaging 11.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 0.9 BPG in 21.4 MPG.

Warriors Notes: Wiseman, Oubre, Beal, Draft

April 11th, 2021 at 9:20am CST by Arthur Hill

Rookie center James Wiseman will have an MRI on his right knee, but the Warriors don’t believe his latest injury is a long-term one, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Wiseman hurt the knee on a dunk attempt in Saturday’s game against the Rockets. He grimaced in pain and tried to stay in the game, but was taken to the locker room to be evaluated.

Slater cites a “low level of concern” in the organization that it’s serious enough to keep Wiseman out for the rest of the season.

“Hopefully he doesn’t miss too much time,” Stephen Curry said. “It seems like when he takes a couple strides, he gets dealt a little adversity, so it’s kinda tough.”

“I asked him if he was straight,” Jordan Poole said. “He said he was all right. He’s tough. He’ll be all right.”

Wiseman had been playing well on the current homestand, with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first half Tuesday against the Bucks, followed by an 18-point performance Friday against the Wizards. His rookie season has already been interrupted by a wrist injury in January that kept him out for 11 games. If Wiseman is sidelined again, coach Steve Kerr plans to start Kevon Looney at center and give Draymond Green and Juan Toscano-Anderson some minutes in the middle.

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Kelly Oubre missed Saturday’s game with a sprained left wrist, but Kerr told reporters it doesn’t appear to be serious, Slater adds. Oubre also got hurt on a dunk attempt, landing on the wrist after colliding Friday with Washington center Robin Lopez. Kerr considers him day to day. With Oubre headed toward free agency this summer, Sean Deveney of Heavy looks at his potential value and says the Warriors would prefer to re-sign him.
With limited resources to improve this offseason, Golden State’s best option may be to hope the Wizards decide to trade Bradley Beal, writes David Aldridge of The Athletic. If Washington decides to hold onto Beal, Aldridge suggests Pacers center Myles Turner or Pelicans center Steven Adams as alternatives.
Slater and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic take an early look at the Warriors’ draft options, depending on where their picks land. The Timberwolves’ selection will convey to Golden State if it falls outside the top three.