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Toronto Raptors: 3 options for the 29th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft

By Collin Loring

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors, NBA draft (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

As Kyle Lowry ages out of his prime, targeting his replacement at point guard should be on the Toronto Raptors’ minds going into the draft. 

What better replacement for Kyle Lowry, the greatest Toronto Raptor of all time, with a guy that fits his exact archetype–a bullish, undersized playmaking point guard in Cassius Winston? Now the veteran point guard isn’t gone yet, no, he’s only freshly turned 35.

But as they look to move forward and continue building, the Raptors front office has got to start thinking about who will bridge the gap at point guard when Lowry moves on. Especially if VanVleet makes the unexpected move elsewhere. Winston could fill the same role that Lowry did.

Coming off four years of college ball at Michigan State, where he established himself as a high-IQ decision-maker and overall team-first player. He may not have the athleticism of guards like LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards, but Winston makes his presence known outside the box score.

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He even made a name for himself as a scorer by his senior season; where he averaged 18.6 points, 5.9 assists, and 1.2 steals over 30 games in his final 30-game campaign. Winston isn’t a sharpshooter, but has an effective jump shot; he made 43 percent of his threes last season.

And similar to Tillie, he’s projected to go anywhere from the late end of the first round to the start of the second, mostly due to his age and four-year tenure in college. Seniors are smart targets for contenders, or clubs like the Toronto Raptors, where there’s a very similar foundation.

Cassius Winston would make a lot of sense at 29th overall. His shot-making ability and IQ make him a natural fit going forward, both in the second unit, and longterm as a potential starter.

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