MIAMI -- A few quick thoughts on the Miami Heat's first-round pick.
The pick: Justise Winslow, SG/SF, Duke
My take: Heat president Pat Riley needed a dose of good luck and something to feel good about after enduring a month of speculation aboutDwyane Wade's future in Miami. A great reprieve came on draft night, when Winslow slipped all the way down to the 10th pick and into the Heat's lap. Winslow adds the versatility, size and toughness the Heat desperately need on the perimeter. For the second time in as many years, the Heat used their first-round pick on someone from the NCAA title team. Winslow joins point guard Shabazz Napier in the youth movement as Miami continues to transition from the LeBron James era. Winslow is ready to step right into the rotation and has potential to develop into one of the NBA's best two-way talents.
By the numbers: At 6-foot-6 ½ and 222 pounds, Winslow brings an NBA-ready body to the league and has a reputation of playing his best basketball in the biggest moments. That was the case in the NCAA Tournament, when Winslow increased his regular-season production to average 14.3 points and 9.3 rebounds. He shot 51 percent from the field and 57 percent from 3-point range. He'll also arrive with a sizeable chip on his shoulder for being passed up earlier in the lottery.
So now what for the Heat: Although Winslow said he looks forward to getting to Miami and learning from Wade, there are no guarantees at the moment that the two will be teammates. Wade must decide by Monday whether to opt out of the final year of his contract. The Heat also await a similar decision from Luol Deng, a fellow Duke alum currently at the small forward spot.
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