2015 NBA Draft: How Each Top Prospect Fits With The Minnesota Timberwolves
By Julius Lasin
Mar 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Justise Winslow (12) reacts after making a three-point basket against the Utah Utes during the second half in the semifinals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Justise Winslow
Age: 19
Height: 6’6
Weight: 225
Let me preface my next statement by saying this: Winslow is a very good prospect and player, that I see as NBA-ready and is deserving to be selected in the top-7. However, selecting Winslow would be an egregious pick for the Timberwolves.
Winslow is a 6’6 wing who might be able to play both shooting guard and small forward, depending on how he fills out and develops. Not to say that Winslow isn’t built like an NBA wing at 225 pounds, but if he is able to put on weight and not lose any mobility, he could turn into an Andre Iguodala type player in a couple years.
Moreover, Winslow is a strong finisher, scoring on 66.7 percent of his attempts at the rim last season, while also shooting 41.8 percent from deep.
With all that said, Winslow would be a terrible fit for Minnesota, as he shares a position with Wiggins, who has a substantially higher ceiling and is already a proven commodity in the pros. Even if the Timberwolves slide Winslow to shooting guard, that signals that they have given up on LaVine, a freakishly athletic combo guard, who has showed flashes of greatness last season.
The lack of seriousness attached to Winslow relative to the Timberwolves is because he plays the worst possible position that he could in this scenario.
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