8. Wayne Ellington
Age: 29
Position: Shooting Guard
2016/17 Salary: $6,000,000
Contract Expires: 2017/18
2016/17 Stats: 12.9 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 43.9 FG%, 32.5 3P%, 30.8 MPG, 11 GP
Unfortunately for the Heat, Ellington’s first season in Miami has been interrupted by injury. He missed the initial 16 games of the season knee to a thigh contusion sustained in the preseason, and is now sidelined with a strained hamstring. However, Ellington has impacted when healthy on the court. Despite playing just 11 of the Heat’s 28 games, Ellington is ranked fourth on the team in three-pointers made – 26. On a per game basis, he is ranked 21st in the league in this catergory.
With the explosion of three-point shooting a clear priority throughout the league, Ellington’s value is never going to be higher. In his eighth season in the league and averaging a career high in PPG, a number of teams are sure to be interested in Ellington’s services. The Chicago Bulls are one team in the running for the playoffs who are crying out for perimeter shooting.
If the Heat were looking for a complete rebuild, packaging Ellington for a combination of young forward Bobby Portis and point guard Jerian Grant could be viable option.
Click here to see how this trade could look.