If the Detroit Pistons can fully tap into James Wiseman’s raw talent and upside this coming season, Crickex Affiliate experts believe they’ll have two highly capable young big men anchoring their roster. After all, every path to greatness is filled with thorns — giving up too early is never the answer. At present, Wiseman is expected to split minutes with fellow frontcourt standout Jalen Duren, a lottery pick from last year’s draft who has recently earned a spot on Team USA’s Select Team and made a splash during scrimmages against the national squad.
Duren has shown impressive chemistry with franchise point guard Cade Cunningham and may very well start the season as the team’s primary center. Wiseman, on the other hand, is reportedly excited about his new opportunity in Detroit following his trade from the Golden State Warriors. He’s especially thankful for a team culture that allows him to learn through mistakes rather than punishing them — something he rarely experienced in Golden State.
While Wiseman’s raw stats from last season weren’t terrible, his on-court impact was mixed at best. The Pistons often played better without him on the floor, raising questions about his long-term fit. Even in Summer League play, Wiseman’s performance lagged noticeably behind Duren’s. But as the saying goes, “Perseverance never goes unrewarded” — and Wiseman will need every ounce of it to stay competitive for minutes.
As of now, Crickex Affiliate users generally agree that Duren’s position as the team’s top center is secure. Interestingly, the Warriors — Wiseman’s former team — have had a very different story with Kevon Looney. Nicknamed “Baby Durant” early in his career, Looney has become a model of reliability and sacrifice. From accepting a pay cut to playing all 82 games last season, his loyalty to Golden State has not gone unnoticed.
In fact, the Warriors are reportedly considering retiring Looney’s jersey once his career concludes — a move that would mark a career-defining honor. While his box score numbers don’t scream “jersey retirement,” his behind-the-scenes contributions and defensive presence have been instrumental in sustaining the Warriors’ championship runs. In Steve Kerr’s small-ball system, Looney shoulders the rebounding and paint protection duties with consistency and grit — traits that have made him indispensable.
Crickex Affiliate experts predict that Steph Curry and Klay Thompson will have their jerseys retired without question. However, it’s noteworthy that the organization has never publicly made such a gesture toward Draymond Green, which could be seen as a slight. Despite being the team’s engine and a key figure in all four of their championships, Green hasn’t received the same level of institutional praise.
In the end, whether it’s Wiseman’s journey to redemption or Looney’s quiet legacy, one thing is clear: in basketball, as in life, sometimes it’s the ones who grind in silence that leave the deepest impact.