Pat Riley on Justise Winslow: ‘He ain’t going anywhere’

Turn off the trade machine, the Miami Heat aren’t trading Justise Winslow anytime soon, according to Pat Riley.

After just 18 games into his sophomore year, Justise Winslow was sidelined for the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. It’s not as if he was wowing anyone before, either. Winslow was shooting just 35.6 percent after being tasked with more responsibilities on offense. The Miami Heat struggled out the gate, and Winslow was out long before the second-half surge that gave Miami’s season meaning.

Winslow’s absence and shooting struggles through his first two seasons have led fans to wonder about his future with the team. He’s become a trade rumor favorite for Heat fans, if not a point of anxiety after the Heat selected him no. 10 overall (ahead of Phoenix’s explosive scorer Devin Booker, no less).

During his end-of-the-season press conference Wednesday, Pat Riley defended Winslow’s development and spot on the team. (Quotes via the Miami Herald.)

"“I’ve been around players like Justise Winslow for a long time. He is a warrior, defender, cares about winning, has tremendous energy. The guy had a tough ride this year. He had a sprained wrist and played with it. Separated his shoulder, had that surgery. I took a look at a lot of those guys like Justise who came in as one and done guys. Kawhi Leonard averaged eight points a game his first year. Six years later, he’s 25. We are measuring this guy after 75 games. That’s unfair.”"

Most criticism of Winslow has come about due to his poor three-point shooting. He’s shooting 25.8 percent in two seasons.

"“I wish you would get off his three-point shooting… He will make enough of them. When you have Dion and Wayne Ellington and you have James and Tyler and you have others and Goran, you are going to need a player that’s sort of like the backbone of your team, a glue guy. It bothers me when you’re taking away from a guy who is 75 games from being on the court. It’s unfair to him. Give him a chance.“He ain’t going anywhere. I’ve read where you can package him here, package him there. He has something to prove. There’s no doubt. He will prove it. He’s a winner.”"

With Rodney McGruder stepping up as the starting small forward in Winslow’s absence, and James Johnson assuming the duties as the playmaking forward, it’s unclear what Winslow’s role will be next season. Riley, however, seems to have confidence in both Winslow and the coaching staff to make it work.

McGruder is the better three-point shooter, but if Winslow is healthy and it’s between the two of them, Winslow will likely be the starter at small forward. His ball handling and length on defense would be valuable to the starting unit, which missed a perimeter defender of his stature when playing the likes of Paul George, DeMar DeRozan and others late in the season.

Next: Now we know Pat Riley's plan for the Heat

Winslow was asked to initiate offense early in the season, and he struggled to adapt while also trying to improve his shot and guard the best player on defense. It was a lot to take on for a second-year player. The Heat won’t likely put the same workload on him early in next season, which would allow him to develop at a more natural pace.