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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) /
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(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Orlando Magic

The Magic as a franchise have undergone a huge facelift over the past 12 months. In May last year, the Magic hired Jeff Weltman as their president of basketball operations, with John Hammond named the teams new general manager. They also traded their starting point guard and former lottery pick, Elfrid Payton, to the Phoenix Suns, and recently fired head coach Frank Vogel, replacing him with former Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford.

Despite the efforts of coach Vogel, the Magic ranked 20th last season in defensive rating with a 107.7 return. In Clifford, the Magic are hiring a terrific defensive coach, with the Hornets ranking in the top nine in defensive rating over his first three seasons in charge. Enter Whiteside.

While Whiteside’s production took a hit this season, his numbers on a per 36 minute basis were actually superior to his career year the season prior. Although he doesn’t possess the ability to jump out and defend on the perimeter, the Heat were nonetheless superior defensively when the 28-year-old Whiteside was on the floor. In addition to ranking third for defensive rebounding percentage, Whiteside ranked eighth in the league in blocks at 1.7 per game.

In return for providing the Magic with an interior defensive presence, the Magic would offload two players who could fill an area of need.

In Bismack Biyombo, the Heat would be receiving a defensive-minded center who is content to simply do the dirty work and crash the boards without being concerned with personal accolades.

As for Terrence Ross, in addition to being a potential perimeter shooting replacement for free agent Wayne Ellington, his current three-year, $31.5 million deal expires at the end of next season, thus providing added flexibility for the Heat moving forward.

The main downside to the deal is the $17 million player option Biyombo holds for his current deal for the 2019-20 season. However, the ability to remove a continuing headache in Whiteside far outweighs any of the negatives that may arise from this deal.

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