Report: Heat want Whiteside to sign for less than max deal

Few people on Earth find themselves set for the sort of $20-million raise that Hassan Whiteside is about to get, but his current employer may not be prepared to completely open the vault for the big man.

The Miami Heat's preference is for Whiteside to sign under the NBA max this summer, according to sources of the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. How that position will impact the unrestricted free agent's decision-making remains to be seen, although it is expected the center will garner significant interest on the open market.

Whiteside's max is projected at approximately $21.6 million in 2016-17, quite a jump from the $981,348 he made this season. The Heat are reportedly prepared to try and sell him more on the absence of a state income tax in Florida, the lifestyle of Miami, and the fact that they can offer him bigger raises off the first-year salary.

The Heat do not have Bird Rights on Whiteside, a product of the former second-round pick and D-Leaguer signing a minimum contract in 2014.

As a result, any of Whiteside's money over the average player salary will eat into Miami's cap space, in a way that a player they held Bird Rights on would not.

Heat president Pat Riley has said publicly that re-signing Whiteside is the team's top priority, but the organization also faces uncertainty with Chris Bosh's health and Dwyane Wade's unrestricted free agency.

Whiteside has taken to public relations on Twitter, espousing the importance of his center position in today's NBA. While a stat sheet marvel, questions have been raised in the past regarding his ability to fit in with a team defense. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra benched Whiteside at key points of some games this season.