7. Justise Winslow, Miami Heat
Injury has largely derailed Justise Winslow‘s young career. After averaging an improved 10.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in a more promising second season, a torn labrum in his shoulder limited him to just 18 games. His numbers dropped to 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last year, but those numbers came in 10 fewer minutes per game and his efficiency improved.
Still, no one is under the impression he looks like the star wing the Miami Heat were expecting when he fell into their laps with the 10th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He’s an imposing defender, but it was telling when Miami’s second round pick from that draft, Josh Richardson, earned a contract extension and Winslow didn’t.
Heading into his fourth season, Winslow needs to prove he’s more than a designated defender off the bench. He needs his 38 percent shooting from 3-point range last year to hold true, only on more attempts. He needs to prove he can still become the two-way force everyone expected, especially approaching restricted free agency in an egalitarian offense with no superstar.