James Wiseman placed Charlotte Hornets on a very short list entering NBA draft
James Wiseman is prepping to be a Charlotte Hornet or Golden State Warrior on NBA draft night.
The center from Memphis said the Warriors, picking second, and the Hornets, picking third, are the only two teams for whom he has worked out. Wiseman hasn’t interacted with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who hold the top pick but already have an All-Star center in Karl-Anthony Towns.
Wiseman auditioned for the Hornets (he didn’t specify when or where), then went out to dinner with the staff in attendance.
“It was actually a great workout. We went out to dinner and talked about my fit. We talked about me as a person — my character. Just (assimilating) into the culture so that I could fit into their organization,” Wiseman said on a media conference call Monday.
Multiple NBA sources have told The Observer they believe Wiseman is the Hornets’ favorite player in this draft. While general manager Mitch Kupchak has said talent, not position, will determine the third pick, the Hornets have significant need for what Wiseman would bring.
Hornets need for a center
The Hornets have only one center — Cody Zeller — under contract for next season. They finished last in the NBA last season in defensive-rebounding percentage and had little rim-protection.
Wiseman played only three games at the University of Memphis before leaving school, following an NCAA investigation of his recruitment. He’s a 7-footer with a reported 7-4 wingspan. In those three college games, Wiseman averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and three blocks.
It seems possible, perhaps likely, that for the Hornets to get Wiseman, they’d have to trade above their current third spot in the order. Both the Timberwolves and Warriors are reportedly open to a trade.
“Any team that needs a center, I can provide (impact): Running the floor and blocking shots,” Wiseman said. “My main components are blocking shots, running the floor and being able to guard 1-through-5.
“Since I was younger, my coach has always told me to dominate every situation. So I go into every workout to work my tail off. Show my motor and have great body language: Be poised and professional.”
Wiseman was one of 10 player visits the Hornets were allowed by the NBA under pandemic protocols. Hornets coach James Borrego has said the chance to interact with a player over a meal is more valuable than any single-player workout.
“The thing I get the most out of those visits is the personal connection,” Borrego told The Observer recently. “Looking them eye-to-eye as they respond to certain questions.”
Duality in everything
Wiseman was asked by a reporter Monday about the situation at Memphis. He said as difficult as leaving college was, he learned from the adversity.
“That situation that happened in college made me way more mature. It made me more mentally tough,” Wiseman said. “It created a chip on my shoulder to get better. To figure out that life is not always easy. It’s ups and downs. There is duality in everything.
“I wouldn’t change anything at all. Life is about progression. Without going through adversity, how can you grow?”
