NBA Draft: Who is Justise Winslow
Draft Sites Say
"Big time athlete with elite level speed and athleticism … Shows the ability to score in a variety of ways, with spot up shooting as well as scoring off the dribble … Can finish at the rim with highlight dunks, and does a good job of utilizing his great body strength to absorb contact. Throughout his high school and AAU career he flashed tremendous talent but struggled to sustain a high level of consistency … Can lose focus at times during games, but has been a lot more consistent and prepared then expected … He needs to continue to show a high level of aggression and intensity in order to realize his immense talent."
"Considered somewhat of an afterthought in the Duke recruiting class highlighted by Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones,Justise Winslow didn’t take long to show the college basketball world and NBA scouts alike that he’s one of the best players in the NCAA. After a strong start, Winslow hit a bit of a road bump midway through the season, partially due to injury, not really finding his stride until he started seeing extended playing time at the power forward spot, which really opened up Duke’s offense. Winslow played his absolute best basketball late in the year as Duke won the NCAA Tournament, highlighted by a few stellar performances that raised his stock firmly into the Top-10 and possibly even higher."
"A power athlete who explodes off the floor and throws it down with tenacity. Is very creative with the ball and has terrific body control and hang time. Is also very efficient and precise with his movements, no wasted energy. A bit slow on his shooting release and needs to continue to expand his range and improve his accuracy from outside."
"Winslow’s two-way game is a very good fit for the roster being built on defense, even if Orlando re-signs Tobias Harris as a free agent. Winslow is a highlight-reel athlete who had big moments in the tournament after an inconsistent regular season. He can be a good shooter and a very good defender, all with a very high ceiling. The big question: Could the Magic go Emmanuel Mudiay a year after drafting Elfrid Payton or Willie Cauley-Stein a year after taking Aaron Gordon and look to trade down the line?"
"Label me intrigued by a 1-2-3 combination of Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo and Winslow in Orlando. That’s the type of young core that could do big things in the Eastern Conference in the next three years — especially if Winslow turns into the star so many believe he has the potential to become."
"It seems unlikely that Aaron Gordon will be a long-term solution at the small forward position unless he becomes a good outside shooter. Pairing him with Justise Winslow at the two forward positions could give you a lightning quick pair of forwards who can turn opposing teams on their heads on both ends of the floor."
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report
"Justise Winslow, who recently worked out for Orlando, offers the Magic a potential lockdown wing defender, along with plenty of offensive upside as a slasher, attacker and shooter. Though the Magic won’t be looking to fill a specific position, Winslow also happens to be a quality insurance policy if Tobias Harris’ price rises too high in restricted free agency this summer."
"The top four picks are no-brainers in some order, but question marks begin at five. Some wonder whether Winslow’s tweener size fits well in the NBA. One college coach who recruited him told me he doesn’t see that one thing that Winslow does at an elite level. I’d counter that he does a whole lot of things pretty damn well. He can get to the rim and shoot the three, but his best attribute might be his defensive versatility. Orlando could go about a half-dozen different ways here."
Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated
"The Magic covet Porzingis—and sources say Orlando is the preferred destination of Porzingis’s camp—but it’s looking likely the Magic will have to trade up to get him. Winslow is a reasonable alternative. The Magic backcourt is crowded but a defensive minded swingman who has been favorably compared to Jimmy Butler is tough to pass up. European guard Mario Hezonja is another option."
"The Orlando Magic have one of the most promising young cores in the NBA today. Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton make up a backcourt of two-way stars in the making, while Nikola Vucevic is a borderline star at center. The question is, how much does Orlando trust Tobias Harris to anchor the future at either small or power forward? Regardless of how they may feel about Harris at the 3, there’s one player whom they can trust to help round out their perimeter: Justise Winslow of the Duke Blue Devils. Winslow’s offensive upside has been debated, but his defensive potential is nothing short of elite. The difference between he and a prospect—not current NBA player—such as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is that his offensive game is already reasonably proficient. Winslow can shoot when his feet are set and he displayed throughout the NCAA Tournament that he can both facilitate and scorer as a slasher. This move would give Orlando a dominant defensive trio along the perimeter."
Next: Final Take