NBA Draft: LaMelo Ball goes first in 2020 NBA Redraft

James Wiseman did not have a good rookie season. He missed training camp with COVID-19, suffered a wrist injury just as he was finding his place, and then a knee injury requiring surgery ended his season prematurely.

There are a number of factors working against Wiseman. He is a center, which lowers his positional value. He looked lost on defense, providing some highlight blocks but otherwise not seeming to process the game fast enough. He bobbles passes, can’t finish in traffic and ultimately doesn’t seem to have much upside to become an All-Star.

Yet there is a hope of it, seen in the flashes of those blocked shots or throwing down alley-oops. He might one day be hitting 3-pointers mixed with crushing screens leading to lobs. He has the frame and athleticism to be a really good rim protector.

Perhaps another, normal offseason can help him process the game faster. That’s the sort of hope that keeps Wiseman in the top 10. He might still be a really good player, and his natural talent and skill set are enough that the Washington Wizards take a chance on him at 9.