The Lakers have received middling production from Rajon Rondo, Quinn Cooks, and the like this season. And while LeBron James is more than capable of playing the de facto point guard, it’s important for L.A. to pursue other playmakers, if mostly for the minutes LeBron doesn’t play. Cassius Winston checks every box for the Lakers.
A four-year standout at Michigan State, Winston was one of the best players in college basketball this season. He’s a money 3-point shooter — both off the catch and off the dribble — and he’s a largely mistake-free ball-handler. He can run the pick-and-roll with precision, and he should have little issue sharing the court with someone of LeBron’s ilk. Few do.
On defense, Winston makes up for a slight 6-foot-1 frame with a 6-foot-5 wingspan and plenty of attitude. He goes hard, he plays above his height, and he dogs opponents at the point of attack. As far as projectable role players go, Winston is the ideal late first-round pick.