I remember watching James Wiseman during his lone season at Memphis and thinking this kid was destined for greatness. At 7-foot-1 with the mobility of a guard, he seemed like basketball's next evolutionary leap. The Golden State Warriors clearly thought so too when they selected him second overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. But here we are three years later, and Wiseman's career has taken more twists than a Stephen Curry crossover. After being traded to Detroit and then waived, he's now fighting for his basketball life with the Indiana Pacers. The question hanging over his career feels heavier than ever: can this former top pick actually rebound?

Let me be honest - I've always been fascinated by players who face career crossroads. There's something compelling about watching someone fight to reclaim their potential. Wiseman's situation reminds me of those moments in sports movies where the protagonist hits rock bottom before their triumphant return. Except this isn't a movie, and the happy ending is far from guaranteed. Through his first three NBA seasons, Wiseman has averaged just 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field. Those aren't terrible numbers, but they're certainly not what you expect from a number two overall pick.

What strikes me most about Wiseman's journey is how much it contrasts with successful player development stories. Look at someone like Tyrese Haliburton, picked 12th in the same draft - he's become an All-Star by finding the perfect system in Indiana. Meanwhile, Wiseman has bounced between three teams in less than a year. It makes me wonder if the problem isn't just about talent, but about finding the right environment. This brings to mind something Rondae Hollis-Jefferson said about player development: "So understanding where guys thrive and how to put them in the best situations to be successful, I think, will help us in the EASL."

That quote keeps echoing in my mind when I think about Wiseman's situation. The Warriors system, with its complex motion offense and defensive rotations, never seemed to fit his skillset. Detroit's rebuilding situation offered more minutes but perhaps not the structure he needed. Now in Indiana, there might be a glimmer of hope. The Pacers play at the league's fastest pace and have a coach in Rick Carlisle who's historically gotten the most out of big men. If Wiseman can run the floor and finish around the rim, this could actually work.

I've watched enough basketball to know that sometimes a change of scenery works miracles. Remember Chauncey Billups? He bounced between five teams before finding his groove in Detroit and becoming Mr. Big Shot. Or more recently, Christian Wood took multiple G-League stints before establishing himself as a reliable NBA big. The difference is that Wiseman was supposed to be the sure thing - the can't-miss prospect. But basketball development isn't linear, and the pressure on high draft picks can be crushing.

What Wiseman needs right now, in my opinion, isn't just playing time but the right kind of playing time. He needs a coach who understands how to use his specific talents rather than trying to fit him into a predetermined mold. Watching him in college, his appeal was his fluid athleticism combined with that enormous frame. He could protect the rim, run the floor, and finish above the rim. Those skills haven't disappeared - they've just been buried beneath inconsistent minutes and perhaps shaken confidence.

The financial side makes this even more interesting. Wiseman earned about $24 million through his first three seasons, but his next contract will tell us everything about how the league really views his potential. If he can't stick with Indiana, we might be looking at a player who transitions to backup center role or even heads overseas. That would be a stunning fall for someone with his physical gifts.

Here's what gives me hope though - Wiseman just turned 22 in March. He's younger than some players coming out of college this year. He's played only 84 NBA games total, which is fewer than a full regular season. There's still time for that light bulb moment, that breakthrough where everything clicks. I've seen it happen before with raw talents who needed time to develop. The physical tools are still there - you don't lose being 7-foot-1 with a 7-6 wingspan.

My gut tells me Wiseman's career isn't over yet. The NBA has become smarter about player development, and teams are increasingly willing to take chances on former high picks. The key will be whether Wiseman can find that perfect situation Hollis-Jefferson described - a place that understands how he thrives and puts him in position to succeed. Maybe that's Indiana, maybe it's somewhere else. But I'm not ready to write his basketball obituary just yet. There are too many examples of players who figured it out later than expected. The court is still there, the ball is still round, and sometimes all a player needs is the right opportunity to show what they can really do.