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Rob Dauster released the newly updated 3.0 version of his NBC Sports NBA mock draft this week. In this new mock draft, the Miami Heat pick Xavier Tillman with the 23rd overall pick and the Los Angeles Lakers pick Cassius Winston with the 29th overall pick.
Here is what Dauster had to say about Xavier Tillman:
“I may be out on a limb here, but I truly believe that Tillman is worth a first round pick, especially in this year’s draft class. There’s really two reasons for this: For starters, he is a terrific passer. No one in college basketball is better than making the right play in a 4-on-3 scenario when the defense traps a pick-and-roll ball-handler than Tillman. But he is also an excellent defender that can really read the game. Talk to people around the Michigan State program and they’ll tell you he ran everything defensively. It was his voice that teammates heard. Now, the major question mark is his size. At just 6-foot-8, can he defend fives? Is he quick enough to play the four? If we knew for a fact that the answer to both of those questions would be ‘yes, and he can do it very well,’ I would have him slotted as a top 20 pick.”
Here is what Dauster writes about Cassius Winston:
“Winston did not have the season many of us expected him to have as a senior — understandably, given the death of his brother in November — but he still put up All-American numbers for a team that won a share of the Big Ten regular season title. He was playing his best basketball down the stretch, and he still have the highest basketball IQ of anyone in this 2020 NBA mock draft. He’s an elite passer and shooter that thrives in ball-screens. Yes, the defense and athleticism are concerns, but we said the same thing about numerous point guards that have made careers out of being backup point guards. Winston is the next in that pipeline.”
Alright, let me say these are both wonderful situations for both Tillman and Winston. The Miami Heat are known for player development. Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra will maximize Tillman’s abilities on the court. Not to mention Tillman is a workhorse ready to improve all facets of his game.
As a big-time Lakers fan, Winston in Purple and Gold is a dream. Winston will be a wonderful playmaker and can also help space the floor. Plus, who doesn’t want to see Winston playing for one of the best teams in the league?
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