Report: Lakers to make Whiteside a free-agent priority

The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to be aggressive in their pursuit of Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside when he hits free agency, according to ESPN's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne.

Whiteside will officially become a free agent July 1 and could begin negotiating with the Lakers at that point, although he can't sign until the NBA's moratorium period expires July 7.

The Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, and Dallas Mavericks are also expected to be heavily involved in the bidding for Whiteside, who is likely to receive a maximum contract.

The 7-foot Whiteside had a breakout season for Miami last year, putting up a double-double average with 14.2 points and 11.8 boards in 73 games. His biggest upside comes as a rim protector where he led the NBA with 3.7 blocks per game.

It's Whiteside's ability to protect the paint the Lakers reportedly find so intriguing, after last season's attempt to control the rim with Roy Hibbert failed to pay dividends.