Knicks Bet on Wiseman: High Hopes, Low Pressure

Thirty years ago, the Knicks drafted 17th, taking a player who later became a six-time All-Star. Today, the Knicks have James Wiseman, hoping he can fill a role similar to what Ariel Hukporti provided last year, a far cry from Golden State's initial high expectations.

Wiseman, young and tall, is the only player on the Knicks roster with those attributes. He has averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, and shot 56% per 36 minutes. The Knicks are not asking him to start, but to be healthy and available to spell their two primary centers.

However, Wiseman's "per-36" stats are heavily influenced by his limited game time. He has played only 63 minutes in the past two seasons, making his career averages of 571 minutes per season seem less impressive. He has also been a net negative in defensive box plus-minus each season.

Injuries have plagued Wiseman's career since his rookie season with the Warriors. He has experienced meniscus tears and Achilles injuries, significantly limiting his playing time. His current contract is an Exhibit 9, meaning it's non-guaranteed and becomes a one-year veteran's minimum if he's on the roster by opening night.

The Knicks are not expecting Wiseman to reach the heights of past stars but are looking for him to be a solid bench big, akin to players like Goga Bitadze or Paul Reed. His motivation may be high, given his relatively low earnings since his rookie deal.