Inside The Warriors

Rate the Trade: James Wiseman for Jakob Poeltl

Could the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs make this trade?
Rate the Trade: James Wiseman for Jakob Poeltl
Rate the Trade: James Wiseman for Jakob Poeltl

The James Wiseman era in Golden State has not gone as planned. Having been selected second-overall in 2020, Wiseman has struggled with injuries to start has career, and has not been productive when healthy. That said, there is reason to believe the 21-year-old big man can find his footing in this league eventually; however, the Warriors may not have the time to wait.

On a recent edition of The Lowe Post, ESPN's Zach Lowe revisited the hypothetical James Wiseman for Jakob Poeltl swap. One of the more valuable veterans on a Spurs team that may be looking to get younger, Poeltl would be an upgrade over Wiseman for Golden State's title defense this season. As Lowe mentioned, the trade makes sense for both sides, but Wiseman's draft position and contract situation makes it more difficult than it may seem.

Player for player, Wiseman for Poeltl undoubtedly makes sense for both sides. The Warriors get a win-now piece, and the Spurs get a chance to develop a unique young center during their rebuild. That said, Wiseman makes more money than most players with his lack of experience and success, and will be entering the last year of his deal next season.

Poeltl is already in the final year of his contract, making him a potential rental for a Warriors team that could look very different next year. All of these factors must be considered by both the Warriors and the Spurs if this deal were to be truly entertained.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.

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