Being the top overall pick in the NBA Draft is a dream for almost every aspiring basketball player worldwide. But top prospect James Wiseman doesn’t seem to be among this group.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Wiseman, who is viewed as one of the top three players in this upcoming draft class, would like to avoid being taken with the No.1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old star reportedly doesn’t want to be first off the board because Minnesota Timberwolves own the pick.
Citing sources from within the player’s camp during a recent appearance on The Scoop podcast, Windhorst said that Wiseman believes Timberwolves would be a bad destination for him as the franchise already has All-Star center Karl Anthony Towns at his position.
It is unclear whether Minnesota is even considering taking Wiseman first overall, but now they have even more reasons to look at other options if the report is true.
James Wiseman’s motivation to avoid Minnesota isn’t hard to understand. He would not only be a second choice on his preferred position with Timberwolves but would also play for a team that can hardly make the playoffs in the loaded West.
Wiseman probably also hopes that the Golden State Warriors might be interested in him. Warriors, who are a much better landing spot for a younger player, own the No.2 overall pick.
There is always a chance, however, that he ends up in an even worse situation compared to the one offered by Minnesota.
The Charlotte Hornets own the No.3 pick and are reportedly focusing their draft pursuit on Wiseman. While he would play more there, he would probably be part of a lengthy rebuild that’s only beginning.
