Hassan Whiteside is, apparently, a wanted man.
This should definitely come as something of a surprise. Whiteside has shown a lot of growth on the defensive end when he’s engaged, particularly in space, where he uses his length to offset mobility deficits against guards and wings. But he’s a seesawing offensive contributor, and more importantly, he’s owed $52.5 million over the next two seasons, excluding this one.
That’s a lot to pay for a non-unicorn big in today’s NBA. Most would hazard it’s too much to pay.
But that hasn’t stopped teams from phoning the Miami Heat about Whiteside’s availability, as Basketball Insiders’ Steve Kyler noted while discussing the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade-deadline plans:
The Bucks seem to be offering some combination of forward John Henson, and at least two rookie scale players from forward Thon Maker and guards D.J. Wilson and Rashad Vaughn.
An alternative for the Bucks seems to be Jazz big man Derrick Favors, although Utah seems to have a number of suitors for him.
The dark horse candidate for the Bucks could be Miami’s Hassan Whiteside, but sources close to the HEAT continue to say its unlikely they are going to make him available in trade, but admitted teams have called, meaning Miami has options.
If the Heat aren’t talking as if they’ll consider moving Whiteside, it’s because suitors are treating him as flotsam. Take the Bucks specifically. They may very well be offering Thon Maker and/or D.J. Wilson as part of a Whiteside package. But they’re probably also expecting Miami to eat one or both of Mirza Teletovic and Matthew Dellavedova in the process.
Those are the returning terms Whiteside’s contract will solicit. His price point doesn’t align with his spacing ability on offense—not even as career-high 23.9 percent of his shot attempts are coming between 10 feet and the three-point line.
And if the Heat are expected to swallow an unfavorable contract or two in any deal, their current stance makes sense. Whiteside is more valuable to them as a player than a trade asset.
