James Wiseman enjoying a fresh start with Pistons: This is apparently like my rookie year

James Wiseman is enjoying a fresh start with the Detroit Pistons after a trade deadline deal away from the Golden State Warriors. Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, has struggled to stay on the floor during his three seasons in the league due to a variety of injuries and inconsistencies. He is averaging 13.1 points and 8.4 rebounds over 19 games for the Pistons, which is impressive given that he had only played in 21 games all season for the Warriors prior to the trade. Wiseman is frustrated that the Warriors moved him so early in his career, but is confident that he will continue to improve in the Pistons’ system and not get discouraged if he makes mistakes.

“This is apparently like my rookie year, I can say, because just the amount of games I’ve played,” Wiseman told ESPN prior to Sunday’s game against the Orlando Magic. “Seriously. So, I just got to take it one day at a time. I can’t be so hard on myself about anything, about trying to be good right now, all the instant gratification stuff. Sometimes it comes into my mind, but I got to just look at it for what it is and be real with myself. It’s going to take time. It’s not going to be now. It’s going to be within time, it just takes time within the craft. I just got to keep working. That’s it.”

“It’s a business,” Wiseman said. “I kind of seen that when I got traded. It’s like an experience within itself. I just got to take it one day at a time. I only played like 78 games, me being in the league, so it’s going to take time.”

“Short term just to get better and just to develop,” Wiseman said. “Just watch as much film as possible and just don’t get so down on myself if I make mistakes or if I mess up. It’s part of the journey, it’s going to happen, because I haven’t played in such a long time. It’s going to take time with me just believing in myself and knowing that I can do it. Keep working every day, everything will come together eventually.”