NBC Sports Chicago’s NBA & Bulls Insider Rob Schaefer recently released his updated 2020 NBA Mock Draft. This mock draft featured two Spartans in Xavier Tillman and Cassius Winston. As a matter of fact, Tillman and Winston are projected back-to-back picks.
Schaefer’s mock draft has the Boston Celtics taking Xavier Tillman with the No. 26 pick and the New York Knicks taking Cassius Winston with the No. 27 pick.
Here is what Schaefer had to say about these two Spartans:
Xavier Tillman
Tillman doesn’t get by on sheer athleticism or innate measurables, but he earned Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019-20, and is an extremely enticing big-man prospect this season for his ability to defend in space, protect the rim and act as a hub on the offensive end.
Even undersized, the Celtics — strapped at the center position with Robert Williams perpetually unavailable and Enes Kanter useful but a defensive sieve — can appreciate that. Tillman’s 13.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 3 apg, 2.1 bpg, 1.2 spg in a conference flush with quality bigs speaks for itself.
Cassius Winston
Winston won’t wow anyone at the NBA level with explosive athleticism, but he’s steady as they come — a proven pick-and-roll ball-handler and decision-maker, with extendable range (43.2% on 5.6 attempts per game from 3 his senior year). He’s high-floor, low-ceiling, but would make an immediate impact as a creator on a mismatched Knicks roster.
If they declare, lesser-known scorer/shooter options like Desmond Bane or Grant Riller could also be intriguing avenues for the Knicks in this spot. Any semblance of space around R.J. Barrett and their glut of frontcourt players would be welcome.
Note, this is not the first mock draft to project a Spartan going to the Knicks or the Celtics. As I’ve said before, the Knicks are the worst possible landing spot for Tillman or Winston. The Celtics, on the other hand, would be a wonderful fit for either player.
