Heat shut down notion they're actively shopping Whiteside

The days of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh rolling through the Association on their "Heatles" world tour are a thing of the past, with center Hassan Whiteside taking over the mantle as the face of the Miami Heat.

The team's ongoing struggles (11-29 record, 14th in Eastern Conference) are bringing into question who's considered untouchable and who's at risk of being sent packing in potential trades, though.

As far as the 7-foot Whiteside is concerned, a Heat spokesperson said Tuesday night prior to Miami's 107-95 loss to the Golden State Warriors that the team isn't actively looking to move him, according to the Miami Herald's Manny Navarro.

"I never really pay attention to (trade rumors)," Whiteside said an hour before tipoff. "If I pay attention to it I wouldn't be back in the league. There's all kinds of rumors. A lot of people said a lot of things so I wouldn't get back in the league. So, I don't pay it no mind."

The 27-year-old added that he feels the organization is committed to turning things around, and that he was fully aware of how rough things were going to be upon signing his four-year, $98-million contract, knowing the state of Miami's ever-changing roster.

"These guys care about winning and losing," he added. "I knew it was going to be a big change when we've got nine new guys coming to the team. It's a whole new team. Those guys they care about winning. It could always be worse.

"I just try to come out here and do the most I can for whatever that is - to try to affect the team in a positive way."

Whiteside currently leads the league in rebounding with 14.4 boards per game, while also averaging 17.7 points and 2.2 rejections. His 26 double-doubles also rank fifth overall.