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NBA: The Best 2016 Free Agent For Every Team

By Ryan Blackburn

May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Air Canada Centre prior to Indiana Pacers playing Toronto Raptors in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Air Canada Centre prior to Indiana Pacers playing Toronto Raptors in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) shoots against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) shoots against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Miami Heat – Hassan Whiteside

What to do with possibly the most important member of the Heat’s future after Dwyane Wade?

Hassan Whiteside’s contract doesn’t include any Bird Rights since he was signed for less than three years, so the Miami Heat are in a bind. In order to keep their high quality free agent center, the Heat have to pay him while under the cap. The problem is that Goran Dragic and Chris Bosh are locked into long term deals, and Wade isn’t going anywhere.

The Heat will have to do some salary cap gymnastics in order to keep arguably their best player, and one of the ways they may do so is through appealing to the NBA about Chris Bosh’s health. In a sad scene, Bosh has been ruled out of the playoffs due to his blood clots, and this is the second year in a row that it has occurred. The team may feel they have been cheated by signing him to a max contract, then watching him sit on the bench due to a condition that could kill him.

Basketball is a business, and Bosh’s situation (unfortunate as it is) may be the key to bringing Whiteside back long term.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks