One of the Golden State Warriors’ worst mistakes in recent years was selecting James Wiseman second overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Wiseman not only failed to work within their system, lasting just one and a half seasons, but the Warriors also missed superior prospects.
The franchise passed on players like LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Maxey, and Tyrese Haliburton who have all developed into quality NBA contributors.
NBA insider Tim Kawakami revealed that the Warriors might have chosen Haliburton under different leadership.
According to Kawakami, current GM Mike Dunleavy would have approached that draft differently than former GM Bob Myers, potentially leading to a better outcome.
Different GM philosophies could have changed draft outcome from Wiseman to Haliburton
Kawakami explained the philosophical difference between Myers and Dunleavy regarding draft strategy. Myers focused on pure talent while Dunleavy prioritizes system fit with Steve Kerr’s offense.
“One thing Dunleavy’s really done is like, ‘I might like a certain kind of player, but this player, the players we get, have to fit Steve Kerr’s offense, have to fit what he does.’
“Myers, kind of was like, ‘Let’s get a talented guy and let’s fit the talented guy into that or fit the system around these talented guys’,” Kawakami explained.
Myers’ approach led to selecting James Wiseman based on raw talent despite questionable system fit. Dunleavy’s philosophy would have emphasized finding players who complement existing schemes.
“I get both approaches at times when it’s where you’re picking, right? You just like, ‘Hey, we can’t say no to James Wiseman.’ I understood that people are going crazy about that. But you were at that spot. It was hard to take Tyrese Haliburton at two,” Kawakami noted.
However, he believes Dunleavy would have seriously considered Haliburton’s fit within Golden State’s system. Myers, in fact, was impressed with Haliburton too, but decided to pick Wiseman.
“I think they’re not saying Dunleavy would have taken Haliburton, but I think Dunleavy would have thought hard about it. He’s really into the guys who can fit. Brandon Podziemski can fit, Quinten Post can fit. Hasn’t had a lot of number one picks to do it with, but the players he’s acquired are more of that,” he added.
Dunleavy’s track record supports system-first approach
Kawakami’s argument carries weight given Dunleavy’s successful picks since taking over. Players like Podziemski and Post have thrived within Kerr’s system despite being lower draft selections.
Post particularly exemplifies Dunleavy’s philosophy, succeeding as a second-round pick who became an important rotation player. His ability to stretch the floor as a big man perfectly complements Kerr’s offensive concepts.
This season, the Warriors selected two more second-rounders in Alex Toohey and Will Richard. If they succeed like Podziemski and Post, it would further validate Dunleavy’s system-first approach.
The contrast highlights how draft philosophy can dramatically impact franchise trajectory. While Myers chased upside with Wiseman, Dunleavy’s approach might have landed Haliburton, who has developed into exactly the type of player Golden State needed.
The Warriors’ current success with lower picks under Dunleavy suggests they might have avoided the Wiseman mistake entirely with different leadership making that crucial 2020 selection.
