NBA Trade Rumors: Who Should Trade For Hassan Whiteside?

Should the Miami Heat trade Hassan Whiteside or gamble on his polarizing presence? That question will be answered in the very near future. If Pat Riley decides that a trade is needed, the following NBA teams must come calling.

The Miami Heat are approaching the single most important date of the 2015-16 NBA regular season. It’s not the All-Star Break or the moment in which Miami clinches a berth in the postseason, but instead a more fearful day.

On Thursday, February 18, Pat Riley will forever alter the trajectory of the organization by answering one imperative question: should and will he deal Hassan Whiteside at the NBA Trade Deadline?

Whiteside will become a free agent in 2016, and he’s widely expected to be in line for something close to a max contract. He’s running away as the league leader in blocks per game, which has temporarily aided the ability to overlooked his bouts with anger—an issue recently evidenced by his ejection for elbowing an Boban Marjanovic.

According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, the Heat’s frustration with Whiteside has led to Riley fielding offers for the enigmatic big man.

"“As you saw from the comments, the players, management—they get frustrated with Whiteside…that frustration, among other things, has them at least gauging what they can get for him on the trade market. If I had to guess, I would say he that will not be traded, but it’s certainly a possibility.”"

The question is, which teams should gamble on the mercurial center?

Related Story: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Hypothetical Hassan Whiteside Trades

Whiteside has put Miami in a difficult position from both a financial and structural perspective. He projects to fall outside of their price range this coming summer, and is attempting to balance his status as both a vital asset and a liability.

If the Heat choose to pull the trigger and trade Whiteside, the following teams must do everything within reason to acquire him.

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