Golden State’s 120-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Monday evening turned the spotlight on former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman, who faced his former team for the first time since being traded last season.
Pistons coach Monty Williams reflected on Wiseman’s performance against his former team, acknowledging the difficulty of delivering quality minutes without a consistent rhythm.
“It’s a tough game for him to play, facing his old team. Every time he tried to finish, there were three or four guys, at least two at the rim,” Williams remarked. “Even if he had a kick out, he couldn’t seal the deal. It’s tough when you don’t have a rhythm. Even if you’re playing eight minutes every night, you’re accustomed to getting those eight minutes. He hasn’t found his rhythm this year, so it’s a tough situation, especially against your former team.”
Wiseman has struggled to secure consistent playing time with the Pistons, tallying only four points and five rebounds in a total of 17 minutes across two games this season.
Against the Warriors, Wiseman logged 11 minutes, recording zero points and three rebounds while missing all three of his field goal attempts.
While Wiseman adjusts to life in a new city, the Warriors’ decision to acquire Gary Payton II in the trade has proven to be a valuable move. Payton II has seamlessly reintegrated himself into the rotation, mirroring his pivotal role during Golden State’s NBA title run in the 2021-22 season.
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