Could the Philadelphia 76ers aim for a more mature point guard in the draft?
A former Mr. Basketball in Michigan, his Senior Year of High School, Cassius Winston enters the NBA Draft as a three-year starter from Michigan State.
Winston, who was named Big Ten Player of the Year his Junior Year, took a step back his Senior Year but still won Big Ten First Team Honors. Despite this, Winston is difficult to predict when it comes to the NBA Draft. Major sites are split on where he is going, with projections ranging from late first round to undrafted.
Not only did Winston dominate on the court, but he also has a hell of a backstory. His younger brother, Zach, a basketball player himself, was tragically struck by a train in November of 2019. Winston battled back from this tremendous loss and landed himself on the list of top-25 career NCAA assist leaders.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, Winston is not a perfect fit, but would certainly be a welcomed selection in the second round. This 6-foot-1 point-guard could fill in the backup point guard spot and replace Raul Neto players and allow Alec Burks to return to his natural position.
Strengths
Cassius Winston excels at sharing the basketball. You don’t end up as one of the best passers in NCAA history without being unselfish. At nearly 24 years old, Winston is one of the older players in the draft, but that is not necessarily bad.
Of course, age means greater experience, but for a player like Winston, who started at a major college program, this experience is quality experience against opponents who are currently in the NBA.
Winston is a good scorer and a solid playmaker. He shoots the ball well from anywhere on the floor and has steadily improved his 3-point percentage. Adept at creating his own shot, Winston would be able to fit well on the Philadelphia 76ers, as he does not need a lot of space to pull the trigger.
Even though he is more known as a passer, Winston still averaged nearly 19 points per game in his final two years at Michigan State. He is a great playmaker and can leave defenders guessing on what he is going to do next. However, Winston isn’t without flaws in his game as he lacks a quick first step and superior athletic ability.
Weaknesses
Cassius Winston’s weaknesses revolve around him being undersized and an inferior athlete to other point guards in the draft. Just barely topping six feet, Winston does not make up for his lack of height in electric speed.
This could lead to defensive struggles for him against faster players. Winston lacks the same potential that most players do, primarily due to his age and the amount of experience he gained at Michigan State.
He has no glaring weaknesses and would be an impactful player right away. More likely than not, Winston will not be a star in the league but could provide considerable depth for years to come. His leadership on and off the court will be a great help in continuing his career.
Fit in Philadelphia
Winston is certainly not a perfect fit in Philadelphia, but he should not be overlooked. Last year we heard a lot about sharing the ball, and would there be enough touches. Winston is a guy who does not need the ball in his hands and is more than capable of getting the ball to playmakers. He is not the fastest, nor is he a fantastic athlete, so he would struggle a bit in the fast-paced Sixers offense we love to see.
The backup point guard spot has been a question for a long time now in Philadelphia. We all know it has been a struggle trying to find that guy who fits perfectly behind Ben Simmons. Is Winston a perfect fit in my mind? No. Is he a better fit than Raul Neto? Heck yes.
Long story short, Winston is a bit of a mystery. He’s been an impactful player at every level of his career, and there are no reasons to think he won’t contribute in the NBA. To what extent, though, is the question.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, if available, they should consider Winston in the second round. He is not worth pick 21, but if he slides — and he might — Philadelphia should at the least take a look.