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, will have surgery next week to repair a stress fracture in his leg.
McGruder played in a team-high 78 games last season for Miami, starting 65 of them. The injury will likely keep him sidelined at least three months, though the timetable for a return won't be known until after surgery.
McGruder averaged 6.4 points per game last season, narrowly missing getting voted onto the All-Rookie team.