Miami Heat: How Will Justise Winslow Help This Season?

The Miami Heat were looking to draft a quality player with the 10th pick of the 2015 NBA Draft. They were targeting Devin Booker, Frank Kaminsky and the small forward they hoped might slide down, Arizona’s Stanley Johnson. But when Duke’s Justise Winslow – all 6’6″ and 220 lbs. of him – became available, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Saying that Winslow wasn’t expected to fall to Miami isn’t an exaggeration, as reported by Bleacher Report’s Ethan Skolnick:

But the question now becomes, what does Miami do with the talented young player? Riley’s post-draft press conference offered up some insight. Skolnikc added that the Heat had Winslow rated as the top small forward in the draft. Riley himself made a comparison between the former Duke Blue Devil and Draymond Green of the champion Golden State Warriors.

That’s a bit of a stretch, with Green proving to be a real difference maker in the Warriors’ historic efforts this past season. Still, Winslow’s athleticism and commitment to defense do make him a valuable piece to Miami’s efforts next season. Let’s break down the possibilities…

The Heat still have too many questions with their roster to answer exactly how Winslow will fit. Re-signing Goran Dragic is one of their top priorities, as is convincing Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng to exercise the player options on their respective contracts or, in lieu of that, re-sign at an affordable rate.

In all likelihood, Dragic and Wade will be back. They can both make more money by staying with Miami. Deng is the X-factor here, for sure. With a contract worth $10 million next season, he isn’t likely to make as much anywhere else but he’s reportedly seeking a multi-year deal that would be worth more in the long run, a decision that’s dubious at best given Deng’s history with injury.

In the event that he stays, Winslow will have the opportunity to be one of the first players off Miami’s bench, one that seems much deeper than previously anticipated. The Heat are engaged in trade talks to free up salary cap space, and are actively shopping (or were, prior to the draft) Mario Chalmers, Chris Andersen and Josh McRoberts.

Winslow would immediately be the most productive reserve on the Heat roster. A capable shooter from long-range (41.4 percent at Duke), he’d work well with Chalmers or Shabazz Napier on the second team, using his three-point accuracy to throw off defenders before blowing by them with an impressively quick first step.

However, it’s on the defensive end where Winslow would really make his mark. It’s true that, like Green, he could guard multiple positions – he’s quick and long enough to harass guards and other wing players and strong enough to limit most power forwards. Miami’s bench (with the exception of Hassan Whiteside and Andersen) were notably poor defenders and Winslow would instantly transform that group into a much more capable one.

In the event that Deng leaves, Winslow’s defense will be allow him to be play effectively as a starter, with an improved James Ennis or another free agent veteran capable of providing relief as a backup.

Ultimately, the Heat will best be served by returning the core they assembled last year. Riley hinted as much on Thursday and that’s clearly the goal. If it should prove too costly to keep Dragic, Wade and Deng on the roster, at least having Winslow doesn’t leave them as exposed as they might have been.

For a team that has traditionally built itself through trades or free agency, the draft might have provided the key to future success in the most unexpected of ways.

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Next: Is Dwyane Wade Looking for Roster Input?

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