Despite coming into the 2016 NBA draft completely under the radar, in part due to injuries he was dealing with at the time, Wang was selected late in the second round by the Memphis Grizzlies as the 57th pick. Fellow countryman Zhou Qi was selected with the 43rd pick by the Houston Rockets, the second time two Chinese prospects were selected in an NBA draft (the first time being in 2007 with Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue). However, Wang would not immediately join the Grizzlies, instead returning with Fujian for the following season to develop. While Wang would regain some of his abilities that made him a viable NBA draft pick in the first place, he would remain in Fujian for at least another season.