Now with the Detroit Pistons, James Wiseman developed a refreshing standpoint in his career that now he can enjoy after a lopsided stint with the Golden State Warriors.
Wiseman, the former no. 2 overall pick of the Warriors out of the 2020 NBA Draft, found new basketball life as he tries to make a fresh start for himself in Motown.
“This is apparently like my rookie year, I can say, because just the amount of games I’ve played,” Wiseman told ESPN’s Nick Friedell. “Seriously. So, I just got to take it one day at a time. I can’t be so hard on myself about anything, about trying to be good right now, all the instant gratification stuff. Sometimes it comes into my mind, but I got to just look at it for what it is and be real with myself. It’s going to take time. It’s not going to be now. It’s going to be within time, it just takes time within the craft. I just got to keep working. That’s it.”
The former Memphis star was shipped to Detroit on a multi-team trade that included Golden State.
Upon appearing at the Pistons camp last Feb. 9 trade deadline, he has been flourishing well in his new chapter, averaging 13.1 points, 8.4 boards in 54.5 percent shooting out of 19 games played (17 starts) for the club this season.
Wiseman got no ill-hard feelings against the Warriors for dealing him away. He has been unavailable most of his time with the defending champs – dealing with various injuries, playing in the team’s G League affiliate Sta. Cruz Warriors and wasn’t able to gain much playing exposure on the veteran-laded squad.
“It’s a business,” Wiseman said about his departure out of the Bay Area. “I kind of seen that when I got traded. It’s like an experience within itself. I just got to take it one day at a time. I only played like 78 games, me being in the league, so it’s going to take time.”
At the end of the day, Wiseman remains committed to attaining his full potential after embarking upon initial hardships in his young career.
As the newest young piece of the Detroit squad bannered by fellow promising talents in Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren, Wiseman is trusting his very own process that will help him grow in the long run.
“Short term just to get better and just to develop,” Wiseman said. “Just watch as much film as possible and just don’t get so down on myself if I make mistakes or if I mess up.
“It’s part of the journey, it’s going to happen, because I haven’t played in such a long time. It’s going to take time with me just believing in myself and knowing that I can do it. Keep working every day, everything will come together eventually.”
