In the 2020 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors made a decision that continues to haunt them, selecting James Wiseman with the second overall pick while passing on talents like LaMelo Ball, Devin Vassell, Tyrese Haliburton, Isaac Okoro, and Obi Toppin. At the time, the Warriors were aiming to balance their “two timelines” strategy—continuing to compete for championships with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green while grooming the next generation of stars. Unfortunately, Wiseman’s tenure with Golden State proved to be a monumental misstep, and as the Indiana Pacers take a 1-0 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals, the Warriors’ missed opportunity is glaring.
Wiseman’s time with the Warriors was underwhelming, to say the least. Over three seasons and just 60 games, he averaged 9.9 points and five rebounds per game, showing minimal effort and little potential for growth. His lackluster performance led to a trade to the Detroit Pistons in 2023. This past summer, Wiseman signed a non-guaranteed, two-year deal with the Indiana Pacers, hoping to revive his career. Tragically, just five minutes into his first game with the Pacers this season against the Pistons, Wiseman tore his Achilles, sidelining him for the year. In that brief appearance, he managed six points and one rebound. He was later traded to the Toronto Raptors and waived two days after.
Despite his lack of individual success, Wiseman has a unique claim to fame as one of only five players from the 2020 draft class to win an NBA championship, alongside Jordan Nwora, Xavier Tillman, Payton Pritchard, and Zeke Nnaji. Wiseman earned his ring in 2022 with the Warriors, though he did not play that season due to a meniscus tear. Now, with the Pacers leading the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals, Wiseman could become the first player from his draft class to secure two championship rings. As a member of the Pacers’ roster at any point during the season, he may be awarded a ring for his limited contributions, however brief they were.
The Warriors’ decision to draft Wiseman over proven stars like Ball or Haliburton has become a symbol of their faltering dynasty. As Curry, Thompson, and Green struggle to keep Golden State competitive, the Pacers’ success in the Finals only underscores the magnitude of that 2020 mistake. While Wiseman’s career has been marred by injuries and underperformance, his potential second championship ring—however incidental—highlights the irony of the Warriors’ draft blunder.