The New York Knicks have signed center James Wiseman to a one-year, veteran minimum contract worth approximately $3 million to help replace the injured Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt rotation, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo.
Roster adjustments force Bruce Brown departure
Because the franchise currently lacks cap space, the front office had to make a corresponding roster move to accommodate the addition, waiving guard Bruce Brown. Wiseman steps into the center rotation as the third option behind newly acquired veteran Andre Drummond and star Karl-Anthony Towns.
The 25-year-old center stands 7 feet tall and earned a roster spot after joining the team in September for a pre-season trial. Across four pre-season appearances averaging 11.5 minutes on the floor, Wiseman shot 81 percent from the field while averaging 8 points and 4 rebounds.
Pre-season performance convinces coaching staff
While team personnel acknowledge that Wiseman does not offer the elite rebounding and defensive presence of the sidelined Robinson, coaches view him as a viable depth option behind Towns and Drummond. The defending NBA champions view the signing as an opportunity for the former high draft pick to revive his career under the lights of Madison Garden.
James Wiseman tonight18 points10 rebounds7-8 FG Seems to be the favorite for a roster spot out of the training camp guys pic.twitter.com/EuRBtNdTmj
Los vigentes campeones abrirán su calendario contra los Philadelphia 76ers de LeBron James en la madrugada del martes al miércoles, un partido que también contará con la entrega de los anillos de campeones al equipo.
Draft pedigree and turbulent early career
Wiseman entered the league in 2020 as the second overall selection by the Golden State Warriors, drafted as part of the franchise’s attempt to contend immediately while developing young talent for the future. He earned a championship ring with the Warriors in 2022, but his development did not proceed at the speed required by the organization.
Financial pressures ultimately led Golden State to trade the center to the Detroit Pistons during the 2022-23 season. That trade dropped Wiseman from the reigning champions to a rebuilding Pistons squad.
Setbacks in Detroit and Indiana
Following his stint in Detroit, the Tennessee-born center signed with the Indiana Pacers in the summer of 2024. His tenure in Indiana hit an immediate roadblock when he tore his Achilles tendon during his team debut.
After working his way back to the court, the Pacers waived him late last year. Now, after moving from the lower tiers of the league standings with Indiana, Wiseman finds himself trying to secure a role with the reigning champions.
