3 Trade Ideas For The Miami Heat And Hassan Whiteside
By Josh Eberley
Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns
The Deal:
Miami Heat send Luol Deng, Hassan Whiteside, Chris Andersen
Phoenix Suns send T.J. Warren, Alex Len, Markieff Morris, Miami’s 2018 first-round pick
Why do the Suns do this?
The Suns had dreams, but those dreams are dead. They thought they were on the cusp of something two years ago, but it has become clear this team is further away than previously imagined. They add a potential superstar in Whiteside to add to their dynamic backcourt.
They have a glut of perimeter of scoring so they can afford to part with T.J. Warren and the disgruntled Markieff Morris, who badly needs a new home. Losing Morris is likely addition by subtraction for the Suns. The Suns will also have money to retain the services of Whiteside.
This deal hinges on the Suns ability to convince Whiteside that he will be the main man in Phoenix and that he is the one piece the Suns were lacking to be competitive.
Why do the Heat do this?
The Heat don’t gamble on Whiteside in the offseason, they get their pick back in 2018, a pick which could be valuable should Bosh and Wade fade to dust before then. The Heat also get a trio of quality players, Len and Warren are both young with a load of potential and could develop into cornerstones for the Heat long-term.
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