Forward Justise Winslow’s debut with the Memphis Grizzlies will be delayed until next season after he suffered a hip injury during practice Monday, the team announced.
The Grizzlies envisioned the 24-year-old Winslow as an important part of his up-and-coming young core when they acquired him at a successful Miami Heat trade in February. But Winslow has yet to play for the Grizzlies, who took a patient approach with their recovery from a back injury that limited him to 11 games with the Heat this season.
The 6-foot, 6-pound, 225-pound Winslow, who averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game for the Heat last season, had been practicing with the Grizzlies and was about to be cleared for game action when NBA The season was suspended.
Winslow addressed his situation on social media.
Last night, during a scrimmage, I experienced a contact injury to my hip that will unfortunately keep me out until next season. I was excited to join my brothers on the court and will support them at all times. I am focused on returning 100% to a full recovery. 🤞🏾🐻💙 pic.twitter.com/s4ds2CNSNC
– Justise Winslow (@IAmJustise) July 21, 2020
The Grizzlies believed that Winslow would benefit from having a training camp, held on the NBA’s Walt Disney World campus, to help him get comfortable with his new team. But he was injured during an intrasquad scrimmage on Monday when he fell after absorbing contact, according to the team.
The Grizzlies announced that Winslow is expected to make a full recovery.
Memphis traded Andre Iguodala, who never played for the Grizzlies after being acquired on a Golden State Warriors summer salary deposit, starting with forward Jae Crowder and forward Solomon Hill to Miami in a three-team deal that led to Winslow to Memphis.
The Grizzlies valued Winslow enough to lose their summer financial flexibility in the deal. Memphis absorbed the salary of Dion Waiters (immediately released despite being owed $ 12.7 million next season) and backup center Gorgui Dieng, who is owed $ 17.3 million next season and landed in Memphis as part of the three-team trade, with former Miami forward James Johnson going to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Grizzlies project Winslow, the 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft, to become their starting small forward when healthy, as their athleticism and ability to play as a franchise complement are the cornerstones of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
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