The Los Angeles Lakers are desperate, so desperate that they are targeting Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside in a possible trade.
Hassan Whiteside could be a possible trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN’s Kevin Pelton.
"The Lakers’ biggest long-term need is for a center who can protect the rim and function as a roll man with rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell. With DeMarcus Cousins assuredly out of the picture with the Sacramento Kings fighting for a playoff spot, just months after the Lakers reportedly pursued Cousins, that could make Whiteside an obvious target in free agency this summer."
The Lakers are currently rolling out Roy Hibbert and a combination of Larry Nance Jr. and Julius Randle at center. Needless to say, they could use a long term answer at the position.
With the Miami Heat, Whiteside may have worn out his welcome. It’s not that he hasn’t played well. He’s a top notch rim protector and scary good at rolling to the rim on pick-and-rolls, particularly with Dwyane Wade facilitating. But he doesn’t play fast and he doesn’t pass the ball. The Heat, being a team that needs to move the ball to get its players quality looks, aren’t the best fit for the ball-dominate big man.
However, the Lakers might be. D’Angelo Russell is likely the point guard of the future, and having a big man who catches everything within his 7-foot-7 wingspan, is like pairing a rookie quarterback with Calvin Johnson. Building something around Russell (and conceivably Jordan Clarkson) and Whiteside is at least promising.
What would a potential trade for Whiteside look like? ESPN’s Marc Stein reports that a number of Lakers are on the trade block.
"Ditto for the Los Angeles Lakers and a number of veterans on their roster: Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, Nick Young and Lou Williams. We should note, however, that Hibbert possesses the only expiring contract in that quartet. Bass holds a $3.1 million player option for next season. . . ."
Theoretically, a trade centered around Whiteside and Lou Williams could work.
Williams, a former Sixth Man of the Year, could provide some scoring off the bench for the Heat. However, he a low-percentage shooter (shooting just 41.6 percent from the field for his career) and has a three-year contract. With the cap jumping, that contract will look favorable. If the Heat are willing to bring on an inefficient shooter and negative defender–but someone who can create his own shot and swing games–this could work.
Next: 3 Reasons It's Time to Move On From Whiteside
However, I like to think that the Heat might be able to find a more favorable trade somewhere on the market. If not, maybe the Lakers can sign Whiteside this summer, when he becomes a free agent.