The Miami Heat may look to once again part ways with six-year center Hassan Whiteside, as SportingNews.com’s Sean Deveny reports that the big man could be on the trade market sooner rather than later.
Whiteside hasn’t had the best storyline that most expect from a player who signed a four-year, $98 million contract. At the time of the signing in 2016, he was viewed as Miami’s most prized possession. He’d established his presence as a bonafide frontcourt phenom, with little smears in his game that needed polishing, such as offensive awareness.
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Little to no teams have taken time to consider Whiteside, despite his talent level, simply due to the astounding contract that shadows him along with his recent string of injuries.
Yet, as many organizations are in desperate search for a slightly above-par glass cleaner and rim protector, executives shouldn’t turn the other cheek to Whiteside, who’s averaging 13.5 points and 14.3 rebounds over the four first games of the season.
The Heat also have a significant uptick while he’s on the floor, as he currently has a plus-minus of plus-44 which stands out from his previous season.
As far as being injury prone, Whiteside has downplayed any nagging pains or signs of sitting out.
“I feel a lot better,” Whiteside said after Friday’s practice. “I feel good. I feel explosive. I feel like myself.”
Miami could push for younger talent if it pursued a trade before the deadline, or option for receiving players established in the same talent bracket as Whiteside to help strengthen its playoff push in April.
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