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

3. New York Knicks

For the sixth consecutive season, the New York Knicks are again destined for the lottery. Sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 10-33 record, the Knicks’ season has again become a major disappointment. Granted, the absence all season of All-Star Kristaps Porzingis due to his continued rehabilitation from an ACL injury has not helped new head coach David Fizdale in his quest to vault the Knicks up the standings.

However, the construction of the roster has proven to not be up to an acceptable standard, and thus the Knicks hierarchy should be open to a vast array of options as it pertains to improving their rotation. Naturally, many will point toward the offseason, where the Knicks’ substantial salary cap space will be a talking point as it relates to luring big name free agents such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

With that being said, it is far from a certainty that the Knicks will be able to attract any marquee players this summer, given the state of the roster and the perceived view of the Knicks’ ownership and front office. Therefore, they should be considering other avenues in which to improve their roster for the coming years.

https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1059929024653377540

One of these options is to take on additional salary next season in order to receive a future draft selection.

Ultimately, this deal lands the Heat a pair of expiring deals, thus offering them significant breathing space this summer. Enes Kanter could prove to be a solid backup to Bam Adebayo. This season, just 11 players have produced a total of 28 separate 20-point, 20-rebound games. Kanter has recorded two of them.

In Mario Hezonja, the Heat would be getting a short-term look at a former lottery pick who has shown flashes over his four seasons in the league. Still just 23, the 6’8″ Hezonja has the ability to play multiple positions, and is a worthwhile gamble given the Heat’s track record in player development.

For the Knicks, the major asset gained is the Heat’s 2019 first round draft selection. Furthermore, Whiteside would provide them with a short-term interior presence to help shore up an area severely lacking on the Knicks this season.

With Kanter in and out of the starting lineup, placing Whiteside in the middle would help take some of the pressure of Porzingis during his eventual return from injury. Additionally, coach Fizdale already has an existing relationship with Whiteside as an assistant with the Heat over the center’s first two seasons in South Beach.