The Good
Let’s keep Winslow
When the Heat drafted Justise Winslow in the 2015 NBA draft, fans thought Miami got a steal at pick No. 10. At the time, the Boston Celtics were reported to have wanted to trade up for Winslow, offering the Charlotte Hornets as many as six selections in exchange for the No. 9 pick.
In securing Winslow, Miami drafted a player with a draft ceiling as high as the 2014 NBA Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard.
Thus far, Winslow has yet to reach Leonard levels of success, but he’s shown steady improvement each year. Most recently, he’s slotted in as a confident secondary point guard in head coach Erik Spoelstra’s positionless model.
Thankfully, Heat fans and the organization have galvanized around Winslow’s presence in South Beach. Dwyane Wade has taken him under his wing, and team president Pat Riley has called him the “anchor” of the franchise.
Riley said #Heat looks at Justise Winslow as an “anchor” in the franchise.
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) July 27, 2018
Young players are often the first to go when team start struggling. As bargaining chips for the future, they can become trade fodder for proven talent from teams looking to rebuild.
Lucky for Winslow and the Miami Heat, it seems he’s here to stay.
Don’t cross the Godfather
Few figures have inspired as much confidence in an organization as president Pat Riley.
Serving in both coaching and team president capacities with Miami, Riley has been a part of the Heat organization since 1995. In that time, Riley has amassed a loyal fandom, one that inspires comparisons to the namesake of Mario Puzo’s heralded crime novel.
Having an unwavering faith in Riley is possibly the best thing for the Heat franchise. Responsible for orchestrating both the Shaquille O’Neal trade and the LeBron James and Chris Bosh signings, Riley is revered for his ability to move mountains.
So, even when Miami is cuddling up to a luxury tax payment as they could be at the end of 2018-19, the fan base stands by their “In Riley we trust” mantra.
The Heat are at least half a season away from acquiring any big name players. With teams only recently settling into their rosters following the start of free agency, Miami is unlikely to find any trade partners until the February 2019 trade deadline rears its head.
But with the possibility of making a blockbuster trade that jettisons the Heat up the Eastern Conference standings always in play, Heat fans will continue to stand by Riley.
And if that doesn’t boost fan morale, what will?