3 teams that should trade for Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman
Teams that should trade for Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman: Charlotte Hornets
No matter how much the NBA has changed throughout the years, one formula that has consistently led to success has been pairing an elite guard with an elite big man. There are too many examples to list here, but a few of the memorable pairings are Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson and Lew Alcindor, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
With that in mind, the Charlotte Hornets are already in possession of a player who could eventually become the best point guard in the league, LaMelo Ball. Ball won Rookie of the Year in his inaugural season and followed that up by being named to the All-Star team in his second year. If he is paired with James Wiseman, it could potentially result in the most exciting pairing of a young guard-center duo since the Orlando Magic were led by Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal.
Although expectations were high in Charlotte coming into this season, the team is off to a dismal 4-14 start. They are in desperate need of a change of pace, and trading for Wiseman may be just what the doctor ordered. The good news is that the Hornets have several young players who could be valuable to the Warriors. P.J. Washington, Terry Rozier, Mason Plumlee, and Dennis Smith Jr. are all players who have recently increased their trade value and could be included in a trade package along with several draft picks.
James Wiseman undoubtedly has a bright future in the NBA. However, he is yet to enjoy the type of success that elite big men normally experience relatively quickly. If he were not a member of the Golden State Warriors, he would most likely be playing significant minutes and expected to contribute on a nightly basis. However, this year he finds himself in the G-League once again.
Next. Report: The Golden State Warriors may target 2 top-tier centers. dark
Other teams around the league should take notice that there is a potential All-Star in California whose number is not being called upon. For Toronto, San Antonio, and Charlotte, trading for Wiseman makes sense. Only time will tell if they gather the courage to make that call.