1. Justise Winslow
With Oct. 15 being the deadline in which they can offer Justise Winslow an extension to his current rookie contract, time is running out for the Heat to formalize their long-term outlook on the former Duke star.
Having already extended fellow 2015 draft class member Josh Richardson 12 months ago, the delay in coming to terms with Winslow is noteworthy. Furthermore, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald noted in a piece from Aug. 30:
"“As of Thursday afternoon, the Heat had not presented an offer to Winslow, who is signed through this upcoming season and is eligible to sign an extension until Oct. 15. Nor has the Heat indicated if an offer will be forthcoming, according to a league source.”"
After his second season in the league was wrecked due to a season-ending shoulder injury, Winslow emerged over the course of the last season as a key rotation piece, primarily as part of the second unit. In 68 games, Winslow averaged 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.7 minutes per game.
The most notable progression in his game last season was his accuracy from 3-point range, raising his conversion rate from a disastrous 20 percent to a commendable 38 percent clip on 1.9 attempts per game. Furthermore, Winslow’s abilities as a distributor and ball-handler also came to the forefront, thus providing the features of a more well-rounded player. Additionally, Winslow was again excellent at the defensive end, with the Heat 3.2 points per 100 possessions better off defensively when the 6’7″ Winslow was on the floor.
At just 22 and with a seemingly expanding game, Winslow presents as a tantalizing trade prospect. According to Jackson, one opposing NBA general manager believes that Winslow could expect to receive offers starting at $9 million per year next year if available on the open market.
Therefore, the Heat will need to decide very quickly if they wish to place their current cap space in a more precarious position by extending Winslow.
However, given his age and upside, there’s sure to be no shortage of suitors should the Heat place Winslow on the open market, especially as a sweetener to move one of the team’s uglier contracts.