The Miami Heat are reportedly looking to cut Hassan Whiteside following a disastrous season.
There is "strong support" among Heat executives for trading Whiteside, although president Pat Riley is still mulling the decision, a source told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Whiteside was limited to just 54 appearances this season due to various injuries, and never quite took the leap to become the franchise center the Heat expected him to be. He still insisted on too many post-ups, his defense remains iffy despite strong block numbers, and he repeatedly grumbled about being marginalized in his role.
Miami was more successful with Whiteside on the bench this season, and that trend was solidified in the playoffs when he played the fewest minutes out of any Heat rotation player in their five-game series loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Whiteside was not pleased with head coach Erik Spoelstra during the playoffs, forcing Riley to intervene.
It won't be easy to deal Whiteside, who will make $52 million over the next two seasons. However, there is clearly immense talent within the 28-year-old, as evidenced by his averages of 14 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks during a down year.
