Small Forward
1. Luol Deng
2. Justise Winslow
3. James Ennis
Oct 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) is defended by San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
I have a feeling that the small forward position will look different between now and the end of the season.
Luol Deng, the incumbent starter, has a year left on his contract and hasn’t made much of an impact since arriving in Miami. He’s not the defensive stopper he once was, now more willing than able.
There is Justise Winslow, who could be Miami’s best perimeter defender but has struggled to shoot consistently.
However, Winslow is younger, cheaper and more athletic than Deng right now. If he can be 70-80 percent of Deng, it makes Deng expendable. Could Miami trade Deng to acquire more shooting and perhaps find the missing link to make this baby purr?
(And then there is James Ennis, who survived roster cuts but whose contract becomes guaranteed at the start of the regular season. If the Heat see something they want on the waiver wire, they could cut Ennis to make room.)
Next: Power Forward