Pistons’ $15.9M qualifying offer for James Wiseman declined, will be UFA

James Wiseman will become an unrestricted free agent after the Detroit Pistons declined to extend him a qualifying offer.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Pistons decided not to extend a one-year, $15.8 million offer sheet to the 23-year-old center.

Wiseman was able to earn a spot with the Pistons after being acquired from the Golden State Warriors in February 2023. He averaged 8.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 87 appearances with Detroit over the past two seasons.

There’s very little chance that Wiseman will ever live up to the hype that followed his selection with the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the Warriors. He struggled during his time in Golden State, including missing the entire 2021-22 season with a knee injury.

By joining the Pistons, Wiseman had the opportunity to develop his game in a less stressful environment. His offensive rating of 119 during the 2023-24 season was the second best of his career.

Wiseman’s defensive shortcomings will always limit his ceiling, but in short bursts as a scoring option he can be a positive rotation player.

The Pistons are in such dire straits right now that committing $15.9 million on a one-year tender, or potentially matching an offer for Wiseman, wouldn’t seem to make sense from a roster-building standpoint.

Detroit is potentially set to start free agency on Sunday without a head coach in place. Monty Williams was fired after one season on June 19. New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego has reportedly withdrawn from his bid for the job.

The Pistons are the only team to change coaches after the season and have yet to hire a new coach.