Justise Winslow is a very talented player in this years draft that could slip to the Pistons at the eight spot. He is more likely to get picked before the Pistons select, but strange things can happen. Winslow is a big player, he weighs a hefty 222 pounds and stands 6’6. He has a 6’10 wingspan and would be a nice sized small forward for the Pistons.
In his only year at Duke, he averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. He also shot 42% from the three point line and 52% from the field, Per 40 minutes, that translates to 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks . Those are pretty good stats considering he played with Jahil Okafor, a possible number #1 pick in this years draft. For only playing one year in college, many people have compared him to players like James Harden and Wilson Chandler. Harden may be a bit of a stretch, but Wilson Chandler seems more realistic.
Strengths
One of the most appealing things from Winslow’s game is his athleticism. He has uncanny speed and can fly down the court. He runs the fast break using his elite speed and finishes with a monster slam.
Another thing he does well is being able to score in a variety of ways. Whether it be with some rare flashy post moves when he posts up on a smaller defender, or spotting up on the perimeter. He can take players off the dribble with ease and finish with mind-boggling layups.
He has a very nice shot, like stated above shooting 41% from beyond the arc, which is what the Pistons need. Being able to spot up or use his dribble pull up will greatly benefit the Pistons if they draft him.
Probably the most attractive thing about him is his great defense. He uses his strong body to put ruthless pressure on the perimeter players. Perimeter defense is one of the many things the Pistons struggle with.
Weaknesses
One of the biggest things that worry teams is his poor free throw shooting. He only connected on 61% of his free throws during his lone year at Duke. With Drummond already poor at free throws, adding Winslow would add another foul target for opposing teams.
Another big concern is his consistency. He is very unpredictable and the Pistons need more players that can contribute effectively on a nightly basis. As he gets more experience, he should be able to grow out of it and be more consistent with his scoring.
He also seems to lose focus a lot during games. That is not a good thing especially if it comes down to a final shot and he loses focus and possibly the game. This is another thing that could be solved with experience but could worry teams that are considering him.
Fit with the Pistons
Winslow would be a great fit with the Pistons. He would fill the huge hole at small forward and also help solve the Pistons shooting woes and defensive problems. He probably wouldn’t come right in as a starter, knowing Stan Van Gundy likes to let them slowly progress. It also depends on who they sign in free agency. But it wouldn’t take long for Winslow to get into the starting spot. He would probably start off with 25 minutes the first 10 games or so and then be a regular starter for the Pistons when he proves that he is consistent.
Career Outlook
I can see Winslow having a great rookie season. He should average somewhere around 12 to 15 points a game and no less than 5 rebounds. He could also be in the bidding for rookie of the year, even if he slips 8 spots to the Pistons. After he gets more experience he should get a couple all star experiences and be a great starter for teams in the future. In his best year, he could average 20 to 25 points. Only time will tell on how good WInslow will really be and if all the hype about him shows up on the court.
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