SF Luol Deng started the season opener Wednesday despite a hip issue.

Deng (3-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT) scored 11 points in Monday's preseason win over the Spurs.

After opting into his contract for the 2015-16 season over the summer, Deng is slated to return as the Heat's starting small forward. Given his veteran status, Deng has unsurprisingly seen his playing time limited in the preseason, as he's averaging eight points on 42.1 percent shooting through three games while seeing 24 minutes per contest.

Deng will remain with the Heat for the 2015-16 season after opting into his contract Monday, Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald reports.

Deng is now slated to spend his second year in Miami after his inaugural season with the Heat ended in the disappointing totals of 14.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game after 72 appearances. While he remains the favorite to start at small forward, incoming rookie Justise Winslow could provide some competition for time on the court as the aging Englishman will be entering his 12th year in the NBA.

Deng, who has a player option for 2014-15, could be pushed for minutes by incoming rookie Justise Winslow next season.

Deng, who struggled at times in Miami, averaged just 14.0 points and 5.2 rebounds last season and with his advancing age, it appears Winslow is the future on the wing in Miami. Deng was hard to own in standard leagues last season, and he likely is only worth picking up outside the top 100 in upcoming drafts.

Deng, in his 10th NBA season and first with the Heat, played 72 games and averaged 14.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. After playing a combined 63 games over the past two seasons, Deng was able to stay healthy throughout most of his 2014-15 campaign. Deng now has a roughly $10 million player option that he can exercise if he wishes to stay with the team for a second year.

Deng's numbers don't really jump out at you, and statistically, this was Deng's lowest scoring season since his rookie year. Deng's offense, however, has never been his calling card, as he shot just 46 percent from the field and 33 percent from three this season. He has served as a defensive stopper ever since entering the league, and he still serves that role, as he recorded a steal per game this season and continued to do all of the little things that have made his such an effective player on the court. Should he return to Miami for the 2015-16 season and play out the second and final year on his contract, he won't be leaned on as a necessary contributor on offense with the likes of Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and possibly Goran Dragic all in the starting lineup. This gives Deng the opportunity to keep being the player he has always been as he and the Heat will look to make a return to the playoffs.

Deng posted a double-double in 40 minutes Monday against the Magic as he scored 14 points (4-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT) to go along with 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Deng put up a nice performance Monday as the Heat are still fighting for a playoff berth. It's improbable that they can still make the playoffs, so it's possible Deng could be rested in their final game Wednesday against Philadelphia if they are no longer in contention.

Deng scored 11 points (5-12 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT) with seven rebounds in 37 minutes in the loss to the Raptors on Saturday.

Deng was listed as probable for the game and played at least 36 minutes for the fifth time in the last six games. The results have not been pretty because the veteran forward has been struggling from the field (36.1 percent in his last five games).

Deng (knee) will start Saturday's contest versus the Raptors.

Despite a lingering left knee sprain, Deng will cover his typical spot at small forward. Since his last absence, he's averaged 12.4 points (on 38 percent shooting), 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.8 three-pointers in 36 minutes across five outings.

Deng (knee) is listed as probable for Saturday's game versus Toronto, the Miami Herald reports.

Expect Deng to suit up, despite a lingering left knee sprain. In five contests since his last absence, he's averaged 12.4 points (on 38 percent shooting), 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.8 three-pointers in 36 minutes.

Deng (knee) started Thursday's loss to the Bulls, and shot just 3-of-13 from the floor in 36 minutes. He finished the game with eight points, eight rebounds, four assists, a block and two steals.

Deng has now been back for five games since missing an outing at the end of March. Just two games ago, he shot 1-for-8 from the floor against the Pacers, and on Tuesday, he shot 1-for-6 from beyond the arc versus the Hornets.

Deng (knee) will suit up Thursday against the Bulls, the Associated Press reports.

Deng's probable status has predictably translated to active status. In four appearances since his previous absence, he's averaged 13.5 points (on 41 percent shooting), 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, one three-pointer, and 0.8 steals in 36 minutes.

Deng (knee) is probable for Thursday's game agains the Bulls, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Like seemingly the majority of Miami's roster, Deng has played through injury of late. He has a sore left knee, but he still managed to play 41 minutes Tuesday, finishing with 21 points and six boards while shooting 9-of-17 from the field. He's on track to play Thursday, but he likely won't be 100 percent.

Deng (knee) played 41 minutes and had 21 points, six rebounds, and an assist in Miami's win over Charlotte on Tuesday night.

After the game, Deng revealed that an MRI he had recently came back clean. The heavy workload Tuesday night supports that diagnosis.

Deng (knee) will attempt to play Tuesday versus the Hornets, the Associated Press reports.

Deng has been a mainstay on the Heat's injury report throughout the season, but expect him to play Tuesday. Since his previous absence last Tuesday, he's averaged 11 points (on 35 percent shooting), 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, one steal, and one three-pointer in 34 minutes.

Deng (knee) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's contest against the Hornets, the Miami Herald reports.

Deng is undergoing an MRI on his left knee Monday, but the Heat have yet to release the results. Nevertheless, a day of rest may be in order after his three-point, nine-rebound performance against the Pacers on Sunday.

Deng will undergo a MRI on his left knee Monday, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Deng played 29 minutes in Sunday's game, finishing the contest with three points, nine rebounds, one steal and one block. There was no indication of an injury at any point in the game, but the report suggests his season could be over. However, the MRI Monday should provide a better declaration of what is to come for Deng.

Deng (knee) will suit up Thursday in Cleveland, The News-Herald reports.

After developing a sore knee Sunday, Deng took a seat Tuesday and entered Thursday with questionable status. However, his participation in both morning shootaround and pregame warmups have cleared him to play. In three previous matchups with the Cavs this season, he averaged 17.7 points (on 55 percent shooting), 7.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 three-pointers, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 39 minutes.

Deng (knee) says he'll play Thursday against the Cavaliers, Joe Goodman of the Miami Herald reports.

Deng was questionable coming in, but after going through shootaround he said he'll take the court against the Cavaliers, and he expects to be matched up with LeBron James. Deng sat out Tuesday's loss to the Spurs and played only 18 minutes in the previous game against Detroit.

Deng (knee) is listed as a game-time call for Thursday's game against the Cavs, Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Deng experienced soreness in his knee following Sunday's game, and he missed Tuesday's loss to the Spurs. He'll travel with the team to Cleveland but a final call likely won't be made until after he's evaluated during shootaround.

Deng (knee) won't suit up Tuesday against the Spurs, the Miami Herald reports.

Deng came down with a sore knee Sunday, which will keep him on the pine Tuesday. With Michael Beasley a game-time call due to a bruised elbow, James Ennis could get the nod at small forward. Meanwhile, consider Deng questionable for Thursday's outing at Cleveland.