Would Marc Gasol be a Miami Heat game changer?

A Hassan Whiteside for Marc Gasol swap could put the Miami Heat offense in cruise control.

As teams kick off the New Year, it is only right to set sights on their most noticeable needs. It is pretty obvious to everyone what that would be for the Miami Heat. A clutch, closer along the lines of the players they chased for the past two summers.

Hence why trying to trade for a name like Paul George has been swirling around the rumor mill. Worth entertaining, though, is the possibility of dealing Hassan Whiteside for the Memphis Grizzles’ Marc Gasol.

First things first, their $23.7 and $22.6 million contracts match up perfectly for an even deal—as do their three remaining. So with no money or contract issues in the way, we can concentrate on the style of play. A style of play which seems more fitting role for Gasol, as the Heat focus more on bigs who can move the ball.

The timing on this talk is quite ironic, seeing as Whiteside was recently praised for adapting to head coach Erik Spoelstra’s offensive wrinkles enough to secure a career high in assists. There were four to be exact. A total that Gasol tied or surpassed 23 times this season, on his way to averaging 4.6 assists per game.

Something that also stands out was coach Spoelstra’s insistence that he did not expect Whiteside to morph into Arvydas Sabonis with the passes. But the funny thing is, Gasol is probably the closest thing to the former Portland Trail Blazers star.

Gasol’s ability to pass allows him to move into the low post, while hitting open shooters. He can also operate in the high post and look over the top for cutters. If all else fails, he can step out and hit 3-pointers—a little better than Sabonis—at 34 percent clip. Neither skill would replace Whiteside’s defense or rebounding, but Gasol as a facilitator would be able to fit in with either Bam Adebayo or Kelly Olynyk on the floor.

But would that offensive fluidity be worth investing in a player four years Whiteside’s senior? One who might have been responsible for the demise of Miami’s former assistant coach in Memphis?

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Style versus youth is a tough call. Business versus personal has been an even tougher one, at times, for president Pat Riley. Leaving Whiteside’s aptitude to adapt to the offense’s new vibe, as a determining factor of where he might be spending his remaining three seasons.