Justin Lewis: Sleeper in the Second

Justin Lewis was headed back to Marquette only a few short months ago. Now, get to know one of the most interesting prospects in this NBA Draft class. 

If you would like to learn more about where Justin Lewis ranked on MIP 99, read more here! 

Bio and Measurables:

Strengths: Lewis is a prospect that will have his value driven by potential. With great size and length for his position, he has the power and frame to develop into a future high level rotation player. At his best, he is a multi-positional defender and offensive positive that can get a bucket on almost any defender. With small ball five potential, Lewis has found a steady increase in his stock moving toward today. Physically he is imposing and loves to bring a gritty edge to the game on both ends of the floor. He has no problem doing the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet and can have an impact on the floor without the ball in his hand. A strong leaper he moves toward the basket with purpose often covering ground in the half court with one to two bounces which will help him as a transition player. Filing the lane correctly or sliding to the corner for additional spacing Lewis seems to have a nose for where he needs to be on both ends of the floor.  In transition he can also step into a three at the top of the arc and connect without breaking his stride. It keeps defenses honest when guarding him outside always guessing on the drive or pull up. Even though his ball handling is still a bit limited but he has enough to put defenses back on their heels especially in long rebound or live ball turnover situations. Ability above the rim is somewhat capped to when he has momentum but it is strength when considering his potential as an off ball contributor and cutter. Outside he has good catch and shoot potential with over 90% of his three pointers coming from an assist. It is hard to get him out of a rhythm when he gets going and his high release gives him confidence to shoot over smaller defenders even when they are in his space. As we have mentioned an added benefit of his high release, and size is that he rarely has his shot block or his vision altered. Moving toward the basket he comes strong to the paint and on cutting layups, has shown power and finesse in the post which is going to make it hard to decide how to defend him. Too strong for smaller guards/forwards but too quick for bigger centers. 

Defensively, he has the potential to defend multiple positions without fouling and isn’t afraid of the contact that may come with it. A player that isn’t going to get pushed around in the post or completely burned outside his adjustment to the speed of the game will be important. Lewis enjoys making his assignment work both on and off the ball when engaged and does a good job at walling up when being attacked leaving players to take low percentage jumpers. Very high upside as both an individual and team defender where at minimum he will be able to guard 3’s and 4’s with the potential to guard one through five if he commits to the defensive end. Will not be a victim defending the pick and roll and does a good job contesting shots even though he isn’t a cornerstone shot blocker. Good weak side helper with potential to block shots as the second defender and rebounded at a solid rate which should be his most translatable skill. Understands positions and how to use it on both ends which will help him carve out minutes. Overall, there is a lot to like from Lewis on both ends. 

Areas of Improvement: The Marquette forward isn’t the perfect prospect nor should he be. On both ends he has shown immense potential and the areas he needs to improve upon will only help unlock it. Offensivley, he enjoys contact but could be a better finisher through it. He wasn’t the most consistent finisher around the rim considering his power, size and wingspan. This should continue to improve as he develops along with his jumper that comes off too strong from his wrist at times. If he could work on a minor tweak in his release the mechanics of his entire jumper have the potential to be more fluid. Going forward he can work on developing his left hand around the rim, really prefers to favor his dominant hand and will even use it to finish on the left side of the rim – even though it is a more difficult shot. Ball handling can improve for security. He is a bit loose at times and seems to struggle to maintain possession in traffic or with multiple defenders pressuring him.  Lewis isn’t going to be a primary ball handler or beat a defender one on one with dribble moves to create separation. He is much more power than finesse or speed on the outside. In the post he will turn the ball over if he gets trapped, with extremely minimal court vision and playmaking ability it is hard for him to make consistent plays as a passer. Tends to get tunnel vision on drives and misses the open man on the wing which supports the fact he had more turnovers than assists this year. Will have to work on staying poised with the ball and on the drive which should only improve as he gets comfortable. 

Defensively, when he is locked in he has been great. However, the consistency that he is playing “locked in” can improve. He can get out of sync at times and comes out of his stance allowing guards and forwards to take advantage on a blow by or back door cut. Isn’t the best recovering out of those situations and at the next level could lead to additional fouls playing against higher IQ opponents. Discipline on shot fakes and contests should improve with time but has shown a tendency to overcommit and take bad fouls or give up easy baskets. Time will tell how many positions he will be able to guard, the hope is that he can cover 1-5 but this will defend on kicking his current defensive tendencies, adjusting to the overall pace of play and if he can stay with smaller guards. At times he seemed a half a step slow but this might be corrected when addressing his other defensive areas.  

External Factors: Lewis initially announced he would be headed back to Marquette on his Instagram but had a change of heart during the draft process. Betting on himself was a big part of taking the professional leap and he has proven to be up for the task. 

Medical History: Lewis has had no significant medical history that would impact his draft stock. Lewis continues to trend upward on draft boards after the combine and individual workouts. 

Summary: Justin Lewis is a multi-position wing in an NBA setting that is craving three and D players. The Marquette product has been drawing comparisons to Jae Crowder and could very well become that type of player as he grows. Currently, Lewis should be a second round pick and spend some time developing in the G-League. However, based on his recent buzz, he could creep up into the late first round as an organization with championship pedigree bets on his high 3&D upside. 

MIP Projection: Late First/Early Second (27-37)