In the 2020 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors made a fateful decision, selecting James Wiseman with the second overall pick, bypassing talents like LaMelo Ball, Devin Vassell, Tyrese Haliburton, Isaac Okoro, and Obi Toppin. The Warriors, aiming to balance their championship core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green with a “two timelines” strategy, hoped Wiseman would anchor their future. Instead, Wiseman’s tenure with Golden State became one of the most disappointing in recent NBA history, marking him as a generational bust.
During his three seasons with the Warriors, Wiseman played just 60 games, averaging 9.9 points and five rebounds. His lack of effort and inability to show consistent improvement frustrated coaches and fans alike. Traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2023, Wiseman’s career continued to falter. This summer, he signed a non-guaranteed, two-year deal with the Indiana Pacers, hoping for a fresh start. Tragically, just five minutes into his Pacers debut against the Pistons this season, Wiseman tore his Achilles, ending his year. He scored six points and grabbed one rebound in that brief appearance. Days later, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors and promptly waived.
Despite his lack of individual success, Wiseman’s story has an unexpected twist. He is one of only five players from the 2020 draft class—alongside Jordan Nwora, Xavier Tillman, Payton Pritchard, and Zeke Nnaji—to own an NBA championship ring, earned with the Warriors in 2022. That season, Wiseman didn’t play a single game due to a meniscus tear, yet he still claimed a title as part of the roster.
Now, with the Pacers leading the Oklahoma City Thunder 1-0 in the 2025 NBA Finals, Wiseman stands on the cusp of another improbable milestone. As a member of the Pacers’ roster this season, however briefly, he could receive a second championship ring if Indiana wins the title. If that happens, Wiseman would become the first player from the 2020 draft class to win two NBA championships, a shocking achievement for a player whose career has been defined by setbacks.
Wiseman’s journey is a paradox: a lottery pick labeled a bust, yet quietly defying odds with championship hardware. While his on-court contributions remain minimal, his presence on title-contending rosters highlights the unpredictable nature of the NBA. As the Pacers push for glory, Wiseman’s story serves as a reminder that success in basketball can come in the most unexpected forms.