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2019 NBA Trade Deadline: 3 teams that should trade for Hassan Whiteside

By Simon Smith

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 10: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Arena on January 10, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 10: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Arena on January 10, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Here are three teams the could benefit from trading for Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside prior to the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline.

It’s safe to say the Hassan Whiteside is one of the more polarizing players in the league.

While the starting center for the Miami Heat seemingly has all the physical gifts to dominate on a regular basis, his propensity to fade out of contests and seemingly look completely disengaged has been a constant source of frustration for the coaching staff and fans alike. However, it’s the tantalizing nature of his game when fully immersed in the contest that led the Heat to rewarding him with a four-year, $98 million contract.

Currently in the third year of his deal, Whiteside is owed $27.1 for the 2019-20 season, meaning a prospective team would need to be extremely confident they’d be able to absorb both Whiteside’s salary and his overall game. While he is posting solid numbers again this season, he represents a traditional, old-school center with his tendency to remain in the paint and inability to fire away from the perimeter.

In 36 games, the 29-year-old is averaging 12.8 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in just 26.0 minutes per game. Notably, Whiteside’s defensive efficiency has improved over the course of the season, with his last 11 games producing an elite 99.7 defensive rating, which ranks fifth overall in the league during this time among players averaging at least 25 minutes per game.

However, this will not be the first time the Heat have tried to offload Whiteside, with the most notable time being after last year’s playoffs, when he publicly complained about his role following their series loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Given Whiteside’s overall reputation and rather onerous contract, finding a team to find a suitable is far easier said than done. It’s more than likely the Heat would have to include additional sweeteners in order to get the deal done.

With this in mind, here are three teams that present as a suitable trade option for Whiteside.