Luol Deng goes to Lakers, which means Justise Winslow goes to lineup

The Miami Heat always viewed Luol Deng as a bridge.

Declared by Pat Riley -- in a fit of passive-aggressive bluster -- "one of the most important signings in Miami Heat history" in the wake of LeBron James' departure, Deng was intended to get the Heat through a rough patch and to the next generation at small forward.

That was especially true when Miami missed the playoffs in 2014-15 and lucked into Justise Winslow in the lottery.

And through the first season-and-a-half of Deng's tenure, as he struggled to adapt to the Heat's need for more of a spacer than a slasher at small forward, it didn't look like he'd be anything more than a two-year rental. Then, after Chris Bosh's blood clot recurrence at the 2016 All-Star break, the Heat had no choice but to unleash Deng on the move, at a new position, (speed) power forward.

Deng flourished, averaging 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 48.4 percent from the field the rest of the way. 

Then he was the Heat's best two-way player in the first round against Charlotte. 

Essentially, he was too good.

He priced himself out of the Heat's range. 

The Lakers, desperate for veteran leadership, have decided he's worth $72 million over the next four years, an enormous raise from the $20 million over two years that Deng made in Miami. The contract will take him up until he's 35 years old. 

So what does this mean for the Heat, in combination with the other playoff starting forward, taking $22 million over two years from Utah?

 

Well, two things:

1. Chris Bosh is now being counted upon even more than before. If he can't play, the Heat don't have a power forward on the roster, other than Josh McRoberts, whom they're still trying to deal to clear cap space. Udonis Haslem and Amare Stoudemire are free agents, and the Heat hasn't shown all that much interest in either, just preliminary contact with Haslem's camp (he's attracting interest from the Wolves and Nuggets, among others, as a veteran mentor) and hasn't reached out to Stoudemire's at all yet.
2. Winslow, barring a free agent surprise, will be a starter. He's spoken openly about welcoming more opportunity. It's coming his way. But if he's in the lineup with Dwyane Wade (provided Wade returns), spacing could be an issue. 

The Deng bridge served its purpose, and deserves credit for his professionalism and durability, even pushing himself to play with an injured wrist in the playoffs when he had a free agent payday on the line.

Now, though, the Heat is on the other side.

Winslow will need to take his game to another level.