All things considered, Miami had a magnificent summer.
In
Amar’e Stoudemire—free agency (one year, $1.5 million)
Gerald Green—free agency (one year, $1.4 million)
Justice Winslow—no. 10 overall pick
Josh Richardson—no. 40 overall pick (three years, $2.4 million, last two years non-guaranteed)
Out
Shabazz Napier—traded to Orlando
Zoran Dragic—traded to Boston
Michael Beasley—declined $1.3 million player option
Henry Walker—waived
Overview
What else happened in South Beach this summer? The Heat re-signed Dwyane Wade to a one-year, $20 million deal and gave Goran Dragic a five-year, $85 million max contract. Luol Deng also exercised his $10.2 million player option for 2015-16.
A healthy Chris Bosh makes Miami one of the more realistic Eastern sleepers to dethrone King James’ Cavs—unlikely as that is. Adding Amar’e and GG will provide an offensive lift that was absent off the bench for last year’s top-heavy oft-injured roster.
They’ll also be bringing a guy whom Boston offered Charlotte a boatload of first-round picks for off the bench. Unlike most other highly touted rookies, Justice Winslow doesn’t have to be a stud right away for his team to succeed. The Heat were hit hard by injuries in 2014-15, and having missed the playoffs (and with a little help from His Airness), they lucked into a player who could conceivably be the steal of the draft. Winslow is unlikely to contend for Rookie of the Year unless Miami is bitten by injuries and he assumes a lot of offensive responsibility. I wouldn’t have been particularly surprised to see Winslow drafted inside the first five selections on draft day. He has the build and the tools to be the type of two-way player every NBA team covets.
Trading Shabazz Napier prior to his second season seems silly, especially when the Heat got nothing in return, but rumors have been swirling that Mario Chalmers may be on the way out of town via trade too. If they don’t trade Chalmers, the Heat will likely run with Dragic-Wade-Deng-Bosh-Whiteside as the starters with a hopefully healthy Josh McRoberts, Tyler Johnson, Chalmers, Winslow, Green, Stoudemire, Chris Anderson, James Ennis, and Josh Richardson competing for the remaining playing time.
At the end of the day, this off-season cannot be completely graded until we see how well Dragic (turns 30 next May) ages, and whether he’s able to stay healthy. Sitting out this summer’s Slovenian national team stuff was probably smart for the Dragon’s body long-term. However, Miami’s starting five will be among the most experienced in the league. If the veteran starters can remain relatively injury-free, a serviceable bench burning with offensive firepower will make coach Erik Spoelstra’s job much easier this year. It won’t be clear for many moons whether Miami has the manpower to take the East from LeBron—whose team has advanced to five consecutive finals—but winding up with Winslow makes this off-season a win for the Heat.
Grade: A
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