Whiteside announces he's re-signing with Heat

Unrestricted free-agent center Hassan Whiteside announced via The Players' Tribune on Friday morning that he'll re-sign with the Miami Heat.

I've played on eight teams since college - from Reno to Sioux Falls to Sichuan, China.

I am not ready for there to be a ninth.

I have decided to re-sign with Miami. I just wanted to take this time to tell all the fans how much you mean to this team, and to me.

Terms of the deal haven't been announced, but sources told The Associated Press it's a four-year max deal worth roughly $98 million - a substantial increase from the $1 million he earned last season.

"I really don't think it's about loyalty," Whiteside said of his free-agent decision earlier this week. "I think it's just about the best situation for myself."

Whiteside was one of the top free agents on the market this summer, and was expected to be heavily coveted by the Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks were reportedly favorites to sign him late Thursday before momentum swung back in Miami's favor.

The 27-year-old averaged 14.2 points and 11.8 rebounds along with an NBA-best 3.7 rejections in 73 games last season.