Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside is expected to command a max contract this summer.
Take a peep at Hassan Whiteside’s Snapchat and you can tell immediately that the dude loves living in Miami. The Miami Heat center, however, is set to hit free agency this summer as his contract expires and will have to make a decision about where he’ll be playing basketball next.
After such a strong one-and-half seasons, and with seemingly limitless potential, Whiteside is expected to command a max contract when the free agency period begins. Miami Heat president Pat Riley said during his end-of-season press conference that re-signing Whiteside was the team’s “No. 1 priority.”
However, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the team will try to persuade him to take less than the maximum.
"“My understanding, reiterated in recent days, is if all things are equal financially, Whiteside wants to re-sign with Miami. He likes living here and likes the organization.But we’ve repeatedly heard the Heat’s preference is persuading him to sign under the max (projected to be $21.6 million next season) by selling him on the lack of state income tax, his comfort level here, the roster flexibility created by him taking a bit less; and that Miami can offer 7.5 percent annual raises off the first year salary (compared with 4.5 percent elsewhere). That means a four-year deal starting at $20.7 million with Miami would equal a four-year deal starting at $21.6 million elsewhere.[… ]Money is obviously very important, but Whiteside has also said this spring that “you want to win more than anything. I don’t really want to be the face of a losing franchise.”"
Whiteside, 26, has clawed back into the NBA after playing oversees and became a breakout star while making less than one million dollars these past two seasons. It makes sense, then, that the 7-footer would reach for as much money as he could get.
A lot of people have speculated that, based on his personality Whiteside will want to get his. I have no inside knowledge, but I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Whiteside certainly isn’t shy about voicing his opinion–especially when he feels disrespected–but it never seems like money is a major issue.
This is a dude who measures his respect by 2K rating and Defensive Player of the Year votes. He’s also a bachelor, doesn’t have a family to take care of, and loves the Miami life style with a condo overlooking AmericanAirlines Arena.
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If the Heat ask him to take $2-3 million less than the league maximum in order to try to built a better team around him, my gut tells me he re-signs.