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Miami Heat: 5 potential trade destinations for Hassan Whiteside

By Rahmeaun Rahming

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 25: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on November 25, 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 25: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on November 25, 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 14: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks goes for the layup against Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat during the game on December 14, 2015 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 14: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks goes for the layup against Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat during the game on December 14, 2015 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Atlanta Hawks
Outgoing: Kent Bazemore and Kevin Huerter

Let’s face it: the Atlanta Hawks are clearly currently in tank mode, and actually have been for a while.

Sporting an abysmal record of 5-20, the team is tied with the Chicago Bulls for the second worst record in the league.

Yikes.

They’re trying to make a comeback though.

This past summer, they drafted Oklahoma standout Trae Young, with the fifth overall pick in the draft.

This guy has what experts like to call ‘in the gym’ range, and he is not afraid to show it off.

Now sure, if a better team had drafted him, his shot selection would likely be dialed back, but the truth is although he’s a rookie, he’s the best player on the team.

Which should shed light on how dire things really are down South, at least for the time being.

(No disrespect to the great Vince Carter either, who is essentially just there to be a mentor, soak up some minutes, and provide a highlight or two to help fill the seats of that brand new fancy arena. Seriously, ask yourself, would you really pay for a ticket to the game just to get a haircut? However cool that might be?)

It’s evident that head coach Lloyd Pierce has given Young the green light to pull up from anywhere and everywhere he sees fit. And given Kent Bazemore’s $19.3 million player option on the horizon this upcoming season, this trade is unlikely.

However, it’s not impossible.

Still, despite this getting the Whiteside contract off the books, Heat management may feel they can get a better deal elsewhere. But for the Hawks, this is their opportunity to take on a monster size contract like they did Carmelo Anthony, and continue tanking.

Plus, they’ll also get a full one-year rental of Whiteside’s services.

If they like what they see, they can pursue him in 2020 free agency.

And if he doesn’t bite, at least they have cap space.

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