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Memphis Grizzlies: 4 point guards to target in the 2020 NBA Draft

By Josh Mullenix

CORVALLIS, OREGON - FEBRUARY 08: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks drives to the basket while guarded by Ethan Thompson #5 of the Oregon State Beavers during the second half at Gill Coliseum on February 08, 2020 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OREGON - FEBRUARY 08: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks drives to the basket while guarded by Ethan Thompson #5 of the Oregon State Beavers during the second half at Gill Coliseum on February 08, 2020 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – FEBRUARY 29: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center on February 29, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – FEBRUARY 29: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center on February 29, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

3. Cassius Winston, Michigan State

Cassius Winston was a four-year point guard who averaged 18.7 points and 6.8 assists while shooting the three at a 41.3 percent clip in his last two seasons at Michigan State. He was one of the best players in the country as a junior and senior, almost becoming the first back-to-back first team All-American since Doug McDermott in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

There’s very little to dislike about Winston’s offensive game. He’s great in the pick-and-roll both as a scorer and a playmaker for his teammates and had a teammate in Xavier Tillman in East Lansing that has a similar offensive game to Brandon Clarke. Putting Clarke in the pick-and-roll with a guy like Winston would put a lot of pressure on second units defensively. This video below features him in the pick-and-roll a lot and highlights his abilities as a scorer at all three levels.

There are concerns about Winston as a defender. He’s 6’1”, has functional athleticism at best and will only be able to guard one position at the NBA level. But one thing’s for sure, Winston can run a team and would be able to handle the opportunity to run the Grizzlies second unit if necessary.

Winston will probably be drafted late in the first round and the Grizzlies shouldn’t give up much at all just to move up and get him. However, if he somehow falls into their laps at No. 40, it would be really hard to pass up on a player with Winston’s skill.

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