A week after plucking him from the D-League, the Miami Heat have made a moderate financial investment in 7-foot center Hassan Whiteside.
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Heat have signed Whiteside to a two-year deal that includes a $100,000 guarantee and conditional guarantees for the 2015-16 season.
"I'm really happy that they chose to make a commitment and I'm all-in," Whiteside said Monday. "Like I said, I 100 percent believe in their organization. I mean, if Pat Riley tells me to run to the airport, I'm going to run to the airport. That's how much confidence I have in this."
Whiteside - who was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the second round in 2010 - has appeared in just 19 NBA games, and none since 2012. But he impressed in three games for the Iowa Energy of the D-League this season, averaging 22.0 points, 15.7 rebounds and 5.33 blocks in 28.7 minutes. He also shot 85.7 percent from the field.
"I believe they see something in me," Whiteside said of the Heat. "So it's a good organization just to be a part of."
Another Heat 7-footer, Justin Hamilton, had 25 percent of his 2014-15 salary guaranteed Monday. Hamilton previously had 50 percent of his salary guaranteed on Aug. 1, after he completed summer-league play.
All NBA contracts become guaranteed for the balance of the season on Jan. 10.
