Mailbag: How much does the Heat miss Justise Winslow? And more trade questions.
The Miami Herald Heat mailbag is here to answer your questions.
If you weren’t able to ask this time, send your questions for future mailbags via Twitter (@Anthony_Chiang). You can also email them to achiang@miamiherald.com.
Peter: Even with all of the success the Heat is having this season, Justise Winslow’s injury is a bummer. This team just isn’t as good without him.
Anthony Chiang: Yes, Justise Winslow’s injury-riddled season up to this point is certainly unfortunate for Winslow and the Heat. Before all of the injuries, Winslow began the season in the Heat’s starting lineup and looked sharp in the opener with 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. And Winslow remained a big part of the Heat’s rotation even through his first few injuries of the season (missed two games due to lower back stiffness and nine games due to a concussion), averaging 32 minutes of playing time in the 11 games he has appeared in this season.
But with Winslow not traveling for the Heat’s two-game trip that begins Friday against the Thunder and ends Sunday against the Spurs, he is set to miss his 30th and 31st games of the season this weekend. The lower back bone bruise Winslow is currently dealing with already forced him to miss 18 of the Heat’s past 19 games entering the trip. In other words, the first half of Winslow’s fifth NBA season has been derailed, and there’s no definitive timetable for his return.
Among other things, the Heat continues to miss Winslow’s defense, especially the versatility he offers on that end of the court. Playing Winslow at the four next to Bam Adebayo unlocks a lot of Miami’s small-ball lineups, which coach Erik Spoelstra has used late in games this season.
But, for now, the Heat continues to play with a short-handed roster that also includes Dion Waiters, who has yet to play this season after three team-issued suspensions, Udonis Haslem, who has played in just two games this season as he’s being used in more of a leadership role in his 17th NBA season, and rookie KZ Okpala, who is currently playing in the G League. Add Winslow to that group, and Miami’s 15-man roster really includes 11 who have been used as rotation pieces this season.
This isn’t the first time injuries have gotten in Winslow’s way. In 2016-17, a shoulder injury that required surgery to repair a torn labrum cut his second NBA season short after just 18 games. How will Winslow respond to this latest setback? When will Winslow return? Can he remain healthy and available when he does return? These are all questions that still need to be answered.
@caiozkai_sccp: Any possible and realistic moves for the Heat?
Anthony: There’s always a move to be made. But keep in mind the Heat entered Friday with the Eastern Conference’s second-best record at 28-12. There’s really no reason for Miami to be desperate leading up to the Feb. 6 trade deadline. And there’s certainly no reason for Miami to sacrifice 2021 cap space in any potential deal unless it’s for a superstar.
Would I be surprised to see the Heat make some type of move, though? No, especially if the front office believes it can improve the roster without sacrificing significant future cap space. There seems to be a need for another stretch big on the roster who could also serve as a reliable interior defender.
