This past June, Boston Celtics‘ general manager, Danny Ainge, nearly unloaded the team’s burgeoning collection of draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets for the ninth selection in the draft, eyeing Duke small forward Justise Winslow as a potential franchise-altering target. However, the Hornets brushed off Ainge’s offer of four first-round selections, utilizing the pick to select Wisconsin power forward Frank Kaminsky. That led to Winslow being drafted by the Miami Heat with the tenth overall pick.
Now, with the Heat in dire need of frontcourt assistance upon the news that power forward Chris Bosh has resumed taking blood thinners to treat his issues with blood clots and is likely to miss the remainder of the regular season. Ainge now has another opportunity to acquire Winslow.
While the 6’7″ wingman has not wowed by any stretch of the imagination during his time in Miami, posting 5.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 27.8 minutes per game this season while garnering a PER of 7.39, he still possesses a wealth of potential, especially in the eyes of someone like Ainge who was willing to offer up a nearly unfathomable amount to select him.
Winslow is a superb defensive stalwart who can drive to the bucket with efficiency, someone who could compliment small forward Jae Crowder fluidly off of the bench. While he has struggled shooting the rock from deep, 26 percent, he proved while with Duke that he has the ability to connect from long-range. With more experience in the league, he should see this percentage rise.
With the likes of Dwyane Wade, Gerald Green, and Luol Deng, the Heat possess depth on the wing, making Winslow expendable. However, they are in dire straits at the power forward spot, with aging veterans Udonis Haslem and Amar’e Stoudemire backing up an incumbent starter in Josh McRoberts.
Thus, David Lee could be a perfect addition for Miami.
Boston could rid themselves of Lee’s expiring contract while providing the Heat with a suitable rental at the backup power forward spot during Bosh’s absence. Miami is currently the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and attempts to hold onto its spot as the postseason approaches.
While Lee has been dropped from head coach Brad Stevens‘ rotation, due to Stevens preference of slating Tyler Zeller at the reserve big man spot, the veteran proved that he still has much left in the tank with a flurry of double-digit scoring performances in quality minutes in November and December.
Now, the Heat would not accept a half-year rental like Lee in exchange for their rookie first-round draft selection. However, if the Celtics were to add their first-rounder, along with the Mavericks 2016 first-round pick, then this deal could become feasible for Heat general manager Pat Riley.
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If this deal were to come to fruition, Ainge will have shed the unfavorable contract of Lee and bolstered Stevens’ rotation, all while maintaining hold of the Brooklyn Nets‘ 2016 unprotected first-rounder.