Hoops Habit
Fansided

Miami Heat: 3 updated Hassan Whiteside trade possibilities

By Simon Smith

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 17: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat reacts to an officials call during the first half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on January 17, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 17: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat reacts to an officials call during the first half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on January 17, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

With the draft and free agency period rapidly approaching, here are some updated trade possibilities for Hassan Whiteside and the Miami Heat.

The future of Hassan Whiteside with the Miami Heat has been under a cloud for some time now.

Following a career year in 2016-17, Whiteside saw his playing time and role within the team diminished this season as the Heat and head coach Erik Spoelstra employed a playing style less dependant on the presence of an old school center.

As a result, Whiteside lost his patience on several occasions over the course of the season, with the most notable being after an overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

After being subbed out with 3:55 remaining in the third quarter, Whiteside wouldn’t step back on the floor for the remainder of regulation and the ensuing overtime period. Following the game, Whiteside let his frustrations get the best of him:

"“It’s annoying. We shouldn’t. Why are we matching up? We’ve got one of the best centers in the league. Why are we matching up? A lot of teams don’t have a good center. They are going to use their strengths. It’s bull [expletive]. It’s really bull [expletive], man. There are a lot of teams that can use a center. [Expletive]. That’s one of them. That’s bull [expletive].”"

A similar scenario repeated itself following the Heat’s first round playoff series loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Again, Whiteside was displeased with his role, after averaging just 15.4 minutes per game for the series:

"“Not being out there. Not being out there. At least give me a chance to fight. At least give me a chance to fight. I can understand if I was playing 30 minutes and I played bad. At least give me a chance.”"

To further inflame the situation, Whiteside recently took to Instagram by posting a video of himself shooting and hitting 3-pointers, accompanied by him saying, “There’s a difference between ‘you can’t shoot’ and ‘you’re not allowed,'” seemingly another pot shot at the Heat coaching staff.

So while moving on from Whiteside is sure to be a topic of discussion in the Heat front office, finding a taker for the final two years and $52.5 million of his current deal is another matter altogether. Furthermore, there’s the question of whether the Heat will receive any value for Whiteside, who despite his down season, still averaged 14.0 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.

With a busy offseason ahead for the Heat, here are three updated trade possibilities for Whiteside this summer.

Home/Miami Heat