Justise Winslow averaged 12 points per game in his freshman season at Duke, but the one-and-done exhibited enough potential that he is considered a top-5 pick this June.
Justice Winslow comes with a high billing.
NBA Draft.net gives his NBA comparison as James Harden.
Harden was in the running for the 2015 MVP award, and if Winslow’s upside is eventually to be a number one option, he could be rated as high as third among draft entrants. Unlike Harden, Winslow brings a wealth of defensive skills and length which Harden does not boast.
Most of all, Justise Winslow would fill a need in Orlando. The Magic desperately need a top-flight defender at the wing, and Aaron Gordon has only shown individual efforts and snapshots of brilliance that may or may not equate to much.
Winslow is quick and could keep even the speediest guards in front of him. He could defend 2s and 3s, and he has the lateral foot speed to help Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton wreak havoc defensively on the perimeter.
Winslow is great in transition, and the Magic played their best ball when they got out on the break. Winslow could function as a ball handler on the break or fill passing lanes for exciting finishes. He is proven to be a good decision maker, which should help him keep his turnovers down in the pros. Winslow has soft touch around the basket and is good at finishing through contact.
Given the Magic’s comedy of errors trying to get to the line this year, having a guy who is naturally adept at drawing contact would fill a major void for the Magic.
Winslow measured 6-foot-4.5 without shoes in the NBA combine with an 8-foot-8 reach and an 8-foot-8.5″ wingspan. The wingspan combined with his lateral quickness should give Winslow the ability to funnel defenders or even control them and force turnovers. Although, his lack of size raises some questions about whether he could play small forward full time.
Swarm and Sting
Given that defense is considered a strength of Oladipo, the Magic could potentially cut all penetration off at its source, a good thing given the lack of shot blocking behind it.
For Winslow to live up to his defensive billings, he will need to learn to adapt to covering more physical small forwards. But initially, he would likely see a good bit of time backing up Oladipo in addition to relieving Tobias Harris.
Winslow is a prime time prospect, and he is, at the minimum, going to be an elite defender, as that skill transpires well with prospects. His ability to play on the break will give the Magic two dunk contest-level dunkers, a theme seen done successfully in Toronto (though the Raptors broke down in the postseason).
The Magic would again be competing with the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards for the best young perimeter rotation in the East.
Orlando could stand to add another guard, and Winslow would likely push Evan Fournier into very limited minutes. Fournier provides shooting, but Winslow is a good 3-point shooter too, knocking down 39 percent from the college line.
With Winslow, Fournier may be obsolete. However, given that both are capable of playing the 3-spot, it is not unreasonable that the duo forms an integral part of the second unit. It is tough to say how well the two could function together, and Winslow will get his run with the starters to be sure.
Overall, Winslow just has a lot of attributes that seem to ensure NBA success, not the least of which is his athleticism.
He is on a quick learning curve and is only 19 years old. Assuming Harris re-signs, the Magic could nurture Winslow by bringing him off the bench.
Winslow may even make Harris obsolete sooner than later, but the Magic would then have a valuable, bargain trading chip in Tobias. Drafting Winslow by no means assures Harris’ departure any more than he is likely to dislodge Oladipo from the starting-5.
But in time, Winslow could evolve into a number one option type of talent, and that is something that neither Oladipo nor Harris can be labeled at this point.
The Magic are still in search for a big-time scorer, and Winslow may eventually be that guy. He certainly fits the bill of a high lottery pick, and it may not be a question of if the Magic take Winslow or not, but rather whether he is available at all when Orlando is on the clock.
It was reported that the Magic interviewed Winslow at the combine, and it seems nearly certain that he comes to Orlando for a workout.
That chance to impress Magic brass could be the difference in whether the Magic choose to spend a high lottery pick on the former Blue Devil.
Next: Another Option for the Magic's Lottery Pick: Mario Hezonja