The Lakers find themselves lacking center depth and with one open roster spot. Now, the former No. 2 pick, James Wiseman, has just become available. Could this be the perfect match? Or is it the path better left untaken?
The Indiana Pacers waived James Wiseman to make room for Mac McClung. Still just 24, Wiseman finds himself at a crossroads — too gifted to fade away, too unproven to be guaranteed anything.
Drafted second overall in 2020 by Golden State, he flashed elite physical tools — a 7’1″ frame, a 7’6″ wingspan, and rare fluidity for his size . But injuries, defensive miscues, and inconsistent confidence derailed him.
For the Lakers, Wiseman is a traditional center who is cheap, available, and desperate for redemption.
Pros
1. Size and Skill on a Bargain Deal:
For a guy who might only cost a minimum contract, Wiseman still has tools you can’t teach. He’s 7 feet, runs the floor like a wing, and can throw down lobs from anywhere near the rim. The Lakers could use a more traditional center to back up DeAndre Ayton, who can protect the paint and get rebounds.
2. Something to Prove:
Few players are hungrier for redemption. Wiseman’s been through injuries, trades, and constant doubt. That kind of fire can spark a bench unit. If he channels it effectively, the Lakers could benefit from the energy and motivation he brings every night.
Cons
1. The Injury History:
Two major injuries before turning 25 are hard to overlook. The Lakers need reliability, not another question mark in the rotation.
2. The Fit Question:
JJ Redick’s system asks bigs to switch, move their feet, and defend in space — areas Wiseman still struggles with. His best work has come in drop coverage, protecting the rim rather than chasing guards around screens. That mismatch could make him hard to play in key lineups.
3. Win-Now Reality:
The Lakers are chasing a title, not running a development camp. If Wiseman needs months to get comfortable, that patience might not exist, especially once roster spots tighten later in the season.
Why It’s Still Unlikely
For all the intrigue, a Lakers-Wiseman pairing remains unlikely. The frontcourt puzzle in Los Angeles is already crowded, and the team will likely want to see how Maxi Kleber fits before making any moves. Kleber offers something none of the Lakers’ other centers do — floor spacing. His ability to stretch the floor from beyond the arc and pick-and-pop with Luka Doncic gives the offense a new dynamic, one that Wiseman’s interior-only game doesn’t replicate.
Then there’s Jaxson Hayes, who isn’t going anywhere. He’s close with Luka, plays well in transition, and understands his role as an energy big — traits the staff values highly. That leaves only one realistic path for Wiseman: overtaking Christian Koloko’s two-way spot.
Is he worth that gamble? Maybe. It’s not much of a risk if you’re just signing him on a two-way deal. You’d be betting on upside — a word that’s followed Wiseman his entire career, but hasn’t yet turned into consistent production. But at best, it’s a lateral move. Swapping one developmental big for another with a more famous name but similar uncertainty.
For now, the Lakers are more likely to watch than act.
The Verdict
Signing Wiseman would be a low-risk, low-reward play — a cheap bet on a player who once had All-Star potential. The Lakers wouldn’t be banking on him to fix anything; they’d be seeing if he could quietly grow into something useful.
If he buys into a limited role — rim protection, rebounding, finishing around the rim — it’s a no-brainer experiment. If he expects more, it’s a short-term mismatch.
