CHICAGO - Is Schonny Winston headed to Ginebra?
If all the pieces fall into place - which is a big if - the former La Salle star and current Converge guard could find a new home in the PBA's most popular team.
Per multiple sources, the Gin Kings are trying to acquire Winston, who was placed on the trading block last month.
READ Ginebra seeks to sign David Murrell off waivers from Magnolia
The move is the second power play for the Gins in the past few days after SPIN.ph reported on Thursday that Ginebra intends to sign aerial acrobat David Murrell.
Targeting Winston makes sense for the Never Say Die franchise.
With Jeremiah Gray (knee surgery) and Jamie Malonzo (calf) out for the season, Ginebra is desperate for serviceable parts to make a legitimate push to win the ongoing Philippine Cup.
Ginebra's guards are all elite and battle-tested. But they're not getting any younger.
LA Tenorio is 39 years old and slowly transitioning to a second career as a coach. Stanley Pringle is 37 and has had knee issues while Nards Pinto is 33.
AT AGE 26, WINSTON INFUSES NEW BLOOD.
Through seven games this conference, the Central Michigan alum is averaging 12 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24.1 minutes of action per game.
A natural scorer - 44 percent from the field and 54 percent from 3 - Schonny is also an above average defender.
Although he is most comfortable at the 1 spot, the 6-foot-4 gunner can be efficient at the 2. And at a bulked up 190 pounds, he can also be utilized as a small forward.
Adding another talent to an already loaded roster poses its own set of challenges. But that's not an issue under coach Tim Cone, a master when it comes to managing egos and convincing star players to embrace roles.
Through the years, Cone has shown an affinity for Fil-Ams and Fil-foreigners, a trait that could bode well for Winston.
The idea of Winston and Scottie Thomspon running wild and rampant on his backcourt must be mesmerizing to PBA's winningest coach ever.
Converge, on the other hand, can continue to stockpile assets as their rebuilding marches on.
READY TO GO.
Asked for comment on the Winston rumors, a Converge official said the team is open to a swap as long as they receive fair and adequate compensation for a valuable asset that they picked 9th overall in the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft.
"This is my first time hearing about a trade or the idea that I may be traded before the end of the season. But being traded is all part of the job of a professional athlete," Winston said via text message.
While it saddens him to leave a fine organization such as Converge, Schonny told me he is ready for the next challenge.
I don't doubt him.
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