MIAMI -- Rodney McGruder, who started at small forward for the Miami Heat last season and was a strong candidate to open this season in the same role, is scheduled for have surgery next week to repair a stress fracture in his left leg.
McGruder played in a team-high 78 games last season for Miami, starting 65 of them. The surgery probably would keep him sidelined at least three months, though the timetable for a return will be known until after surgery. A team spokesman said McGruder was still being evaluated and that any talk of how long McGruder would be out is premature.
McGruder's work ethic has been raved about by teammates and coaches since he got to Miami.
"You root for players all the time and guys like Rodney, you have to root for them because of the kind of person he is, the kind of player, his effort, all-in, how coachable he is," Heat president Pat Riley said.
McGruder averaged 6.4 points last season, narrowly missing getting voted onto the All-Rookie team.
With McGruder out, it could open a path for Josh Richardson or Justise Winslow to open as Miami's starting small forward.
McGruder's injury situation was first reported by The Vertical.
Also Friday, the Heat announced that point guard Goran Dragic's preseason is over. Dragic was excused from Miami's trip to Kansas City for a Friday preseason finale against Philadelphia because his wife and children -- who have been in his native Slovenia for the offseason -- were scheduled to arrive in Miami on Thursday.