Why the Miami Heat should not consider trading Justise Winslow
The Miami Heat have been at the center of trade rumors this off-season. If Miami is to make any moves, Justise Winslow should not be included in those deals.
Just four short years ago in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat held the number 10 selection. After seeing names such as Karl Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and Kristaps Porzingis go off the board, the Miami Heat selected Justise Winslow with their selection. Winslow was arguably the most versatile player coming out of college that year.
In the first four seasons of his career with the Heat, Winslow has had ups and downs. In his first season as a rookie, he only averaged 6.4 points per game while shooting a horrid 27 percent from downtown. Fast forward to last season and finally, Winslow has shown flashes of who the Heat drafted him to be.
A versatile defender who can guard arguably four positions, a playmaker with the ball, and a respectable 3-point shooter. Winslow had his best season in 2018-19, averaging 12.6 points per game to go along with 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
Winslow was relied on down the stretch as a primary ball-handler and it paid dividends for both the Miami Heat and himself. Now, let’s take a deeper look into the 18-19 campaign for Winslow and why the Heat should not trade him.
Now as mentioned above, Winslow was used as a primary ball-handler this past season. Most of his action involved pick and roll situations. Winslow was at his best while attacking the defense to facilitate or make the right play.
Now, this may come as a surprise but Winslow was also at his best when taking jump shots. In the half-court offense, Winslow shot 38.8 percent on jump shots, putting him in the 71st percentile.
That number increased to a whopping 50.8 percent when left unguarded, landing him in the 95th percentile. Winslow also attempted 236 three-point jump shots while connecting on 38.1 percent.
Once Goran Dragic went down with an injury, Coach Erik Spoelstra needed a playmaker at the point guard position, where Winslow excelled. In pick and roll ball handler situations, Winslow made the correct play over and over again.
To put it into perspective, when Winslow was passing to a teammate, the combined field goal percentage was 54.4 percent. Winslow might seem like he has been around for about a decade now but the former Blue Devil is only 23 years old and coming off a career season.
Why should the Miami Heat keep Winslow? Well, as mentioned Winslow is only 23 years old. Winslow has also shown progression throughout his first four years and especially this past season on the offensive end.
Defensively
Pairing Winslow on the wing with the newly acquired Jimmy Butler could mean wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. In pick and roll defensive situations guarding the ball handler, Winslow allowed the opposition to shoot 41.4 percent, ranking him in the 75th percentile. While defending the roller on the pick and roll, that number dropped to 37.5 percent.
The tenacity and aggressiveness Winslow provides on the defensive end is something Miami can not afford to lose. Coming out of college Winslow was recognized for his defensive prowess, his offensive game is what needed time to be groomed and developed. We saw promising flashes of that development last season.
Offensively
Giving Winslow the keys to the offense might be the best thing Spoelstra can do after seeing Winslow thrive as the lead ball-handler at times last season. With more offensive weapons at Winslow’s disposal, Jimmy Butler and Miami Heat first-round pick and summer league stand out Tyler Herro to name a few, Winslow will have shooters and slashers to facilitate to while using Bam Adebayo in the pick and roll.
Culture
Four years into the Miami Heat Culture, Winslow will be the third longest-tenured Heat player on the roster behind Udonis Haslem and Goran Dragic. Now with a full offseason to study and learn the ins and outs of the Spoelstra playbook from the point guard position, Winslow can continue to flourish and develop into the star many fans believed he would be coming out of Duke. Also, Winslow will look to continue to be a leader for the Heat moving forward.
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Winslow should be a key to the future success of the Miami Heat, while he should also continue to improve all the while. The previous examples are all proof of that very fact. These factors, along with all the intangibles he brings to the table and team, are the reasons that the Heat shouldn’t consider trading Winslow.