James Wiseman trade grades: Pistons land former second pick in deal with Warriors, Hawks & Trail Blazers

The Warriors parted ways with James Wiseman less than three years after picking him second overall in the 2020 NBA draft.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Wiseman will be sent to the Pistons in a four-team deal that will send Saddiq Bey to the Hawks while five second-round draft picks and Kevin Knox go to the Trail Blazers. The Warriors bring back Gary Payton II.

The news comes in the final hours before the close, a time when Golden State and Atlanta are looking to improve ahead of a playoff push while Detroit remains focused on the future.

How did each team fare on the deal? The Sporting News has trade grades for the Pistons, Warriors and Hawks below.

TRADE DETAILS: What Warriors, Pistons, Hawks got in the James Wiseman deal

Commercial quality pistons

This continues a recent trend for the Pistons, who have been in the business of acquiring former top picks who have yet to gain a foothold.

Before the deal, a Tweet by Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press stated that Pistons general manager Troy Weaver was high from Wiseman ahead of the 2020 NBA draft.

Similar to Marvin Bagley III and the attempt with Kevin Knox, Detroit adds a high-quality player in Wiseman who has a lot of untapped potential.

It’s unclear whether or not Wiseman can reach that potential, but a new home is a good place to start.

Wiseman has shown lightning in his career and was starting to put things together before tearing his meniscus late in his rookie season. Soon to be 22, he fits the development timeline of a young core in Detroit that also includes Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Killian Hayes, Jaden Ivey, and Isaiah Stewart.

This is a long-term game for the Pistons, who have a core of several young talents to build on.

Degree: B-

Merchant class of warriors

Injuries are the main culprits, but this deal effectively serves as Golden State’s admission that the franchise didn’t get it right in the 2020 NBA draft.

Considering the time Golden State also won an NBA title, things could have been a lot worse.

Just as Wiseman needed a new backdrop, the Warriors needed to cut ties to focus on their title defense and other long-term plans. Most importantly, the deal will provide Golden State with major financial relief.

According to a recent report by The Athletic’s John Hollinger, trading Wiseman with no payroll withdrawals would save $51 million in wages and taxes this year and an estimated $85 million next year.

The financial part essentially made it a no-brainer, but it’s hard to give Golden State too much credit for working to right the mistakes of a few years ago.

Degree: C+

TO UPDATE: According to follow-up reports from Wojnarowski, Knox and Golden State’s five second-round picks will be diverted to Portland, facilitating the return of Gary Payton II, who played a big part in the Warriors’ run to the 2022 NBA title.

With the knowledge that Payton is back to reprise the role he played last season, this looks more of a win for the Warriors.

Updated note: B-

Commercial grade by Hawks

As in most years, Atlanta needed a refresher. Acquiring Bey is just that.

This season, Bey averaged 14.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 52 games. A 35.7 percent 3-point shooter of his career, Bey’s shooting has seen a slight dip since shooting 38.0 percent from beyond the arc as a rookie, but he’s more than capable of bottoming.

Bey doesn’t turn 24 until the end of the season, bringing wing depth to the Hawks’ roster.

Bey, who was selected mid-round one in 2020, is making just under $3 million this season and will make $4.6 million next season, making him an added value for Atlanta, which is in the wants to climb into the top 6 in the east late in the season.

Degree: B+

Commercial quality Trail Blazers

The Blazers entered the chat as a landing pad for Knox.

Knox, 23, was a top-10 pick five years ago but has yet to find the right place in the league. He’s averaging 5.6 points per game this season, which was his first in Detroit.

Portland has proven to be a good landing spot for Justise Winslow who, while a very different player, could provide the team with a blueprint for a fresh start.

With the timely acquisitions of Cam Reddish and Matisse Thybulle, the loss of Payton Portland doesn’t hurt as much.

Not a big risk to get a potentially high reward.

Degree: B