With Gordon Hayward deciding to join the Boston Celtics, plan A has fallen through for the Miami Heat. Fans now turn their attention to Justise Winslow, who is returning from injury. Will he develop into the star small forward that the Heat missed out on?
Since losing LeBron James in the summer of 2014, the Miami Heat have been searching for a star to fill that position. The Heat were one of only five teams last year to get a meeting with the biggest free agent of the 2016 class, Kevin Durant. Pat Riley took a swing at it but missed, with Durant joining the Warriors.
A year later, the Heat were one of just three teams to meet with Gordon Hayward. However, they once again missed out on another big name free agent.
Where does this leave them? They must now move on to trying to keep the core together. The Heat just recently brought back Dion Waiters and Riley has expressed interest in bringing back their own free agents.
This would still leave the door open for Justise Winslow, the 10th pick in the 2014 draft, to take back his starting role this season upon return.
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Winslow will be entering his third year in the NBA. He showed great potential in his rookie season, but suffered a season-ending injury in his second season which halted his development. At just 21 years old, he has shown that he has a high ceiling in the NBA. However, fans are already beginning to grow impatient.
Heat fans want to see him reach his ceiling, and with Hayward saying No thanks to Miami, they want to see it now. They don’t want to hear about waiting a few more years for his development, and they voiced this on twitter:
If you don't turn into the next Kawhi Leonard here real soon.. @IAmJustise
— jake (@j_kerans15) July 5, 2017
@IAmJustise This is your year to shine! Year 3, now lets see who you are. #letsgoheat
— Evence Alce (@EazyBallin1) July 5, 2017
The fan base is expecting a leap this year from Winslow. I mentioned in a previous article that I expect him to have a breakout season, and a jump in production is plausible. However, with the combination of the Heat missing out on Durant and Hayward, as well as the eagerness of the fans, the pressure is on.
If you recall, Winslow faced the same sort of pressure going into his second season after Dwyane Wade left for the Chicago Bulls. He struggled early, with his shooting percentages dropping as he was asked to do too much on offense.
Next: Justise Winslow's season in review
Winslow’s name has already been tossed around in fan-generated trade ideas. It may sound unfair to say that a 21 year old who has only played one full season has a lot to prove this season, but that is the case. The pressure is there for Winslow to make a leap. Heat fans will agree with me in saying that I hope he thrives under pressure.