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Miami Heat 1-on-1: Is 2017-18 indicative of Hassan Whiteside’s future?

By Jack Leniart

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 3: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media after the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 3, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 3: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media after the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 3, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 13: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat looks up against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on February 13, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 13: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat looks up against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on February 13, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Finally, does Whiteside have a future with the Miami Heat?

Leniart: Barring a drastic change, I don’t see a long-term future for Whiteside in Miami. The ideal situation for the Heat would be to find a trade partner before the deadline this year. It is going to be difficult for the Heat to trade Whiteside at this point though.

I think the Heat would entertain any trade offers they receive for Whiteside from now until the end of his contract. However, other NBA teams know that the Heat would like to move him, so they will be asking for a lot in return. If Whiteside gets off to a good start in the 2018-2019 season, that may give Miami a bit more leverage if they wanted to trade him before the deadline.

If the Heat are unable to trade him and he plays out the rest of his current contract, they may just let him walk in free agency.

Tachauer: At this point, it’s hard to know who to listen to. While it seems president Pat Riley is determined to turn things around and make Whiteside into the center he’s always had the potential of growing into, there continues to be talk of the Miami Heat looking to move No. 21.

And in a way, things become even more complicated if Whiteside does indeed bounce back and has a great 2018-19 run. Because while it may seem like the organization then has no reason to trade him, his trade value would obviously go up. So at that point, it would really just become about money.

I hope Whiteside is able to remain with the Heat and dominate alongside Adebayo but right now, it’s too soon to call.

Next. Miami Heat: 3 players who need to work hard leading up to training camp. dark

Fingers crossed for a better year for Whiteside.

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