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Pump the brakes on James Wiseman’s long-awaited return to the court this summer. Though the No. 2 overall pick of the 2020 draft completed a full-contact practice on Wednesday and is on the Golden State Warriors’ roster for this weekend’s California Classic, Wiseman will reportedly sit out his team’s initial action with the hope of playing in Las Vegas Summer League.
James Wiseman went through the Warriors' summer league contact practice today. He won't play in the two Chase Center SL games this weekend. Warriors aiming for a Wiseman summer league appearance at some point in Las Vegas, if he trends well.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 29, 2022
Wiseman hasn't played since April 10th, 2021, when he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee against the Houston Rockets. He underwent corrective surgery shortly thereafter, with the expectation that the seven-footer would return to the court toward the beginning of 2021-22. Persistent swelling prevented Wiseman from ever taking the floor last season, though, and Golden State barely missed him en route to a fourth title in eight seasons despite possessing one of the smallest frontcourts in basketball.
The Athletic recently reported that Wiseman traveled to London with Warriors general manager Bob Meyers in April for an orthobiologic injection meant to promote healing in the knee. During exit interviews in wake of Golden State's championship, Wiseman told reporters that he had every intention of playing in Summer League after missing out on the action last year. Summer League was canceled leading up to Wiseman's pandemic-shortened rookie season.
The Warriors have already proven they don't need Wiseman to win at the highest level. Their best basketball in 2020-21, remember, came after he'd been sidelined by that torn meniscus, further indication of just how much he still has to learn before potentially becoming a fixture up front for the reigning champions. Golden State could certainly use the extremely rare blend of size and athleticism Wiseman possesses, though, and it's hard to imagine him enters training come fall earmarked for a rotation spot unless he shows out in Summer League.
Wiseman's continued absence is no cause for real concern. But if he's still absent for the duration of the Warriors' time in Las Vegas, worries about the long-term health of his knee will have rightfully reached a new level.
Golden State tips off the California Classic at 7:30 p.m. (PST) on Saturday, July 2nd against the Sacramento Kings.
