NBA Draft 2015: Which Rookies Will Start Opening Night?

7. Justise Winslow, F, Miami Heat

Justise Winslow was that talented player that dropped in this year’s draft. As a result, the Miami Heat were gifted a player that could potentially turn them right back into Eastern Conference contenders. Of course, a lot of that will depend on whether or not the team can re-sign Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic, but regardless, they have a talented piece for the future and many years to come.

Before the draft, it was widely assumed that Winslow would go early in the lottery, and nobody expected to him to have fallen as far as he did, and to a Miami team where he can thrive.

With a young rebuilding team, Winslow would have the pressure of having to score and do too much right away. In Miami, he will have the opportunity to assume his role and do what is needed of him. He will slide into the starting lineup right away, and suddenly a franchise that was in need of an excitement boost following LeBron James leaving — has one.

Winslow has a special ability to score, play defense and do it all. The Heat practically raced to the podium to make this pick. With Winslow, there’s no doubt that he will be in a system that he can thrive in and is in a place where he can eventually become the man after Dwyane Wade leaves, if he doesn’t already leave this year.

The Heat have another talented young player on the roster in center Hassan Whiteside. Add in a returning healthy Bosh — and hopefully for their sake Dragic and Wade — and suddenly a growing and blossoming-in-chemistry Heat team might give the Eastern Conference a run for their money.

Justise Winslow might be the piece that keeps Miami in contention in the East for a long time to come.

Next: 8. Jerian Grant