All U Can Heat
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 24: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks is defended by Hassan Whiteside #21 and Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on October 24, 2018 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 24: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks is defended by Hassan Whiteside #21 and Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on October 24, 2018 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

New York Knicks
Outgoing: Enes Kanter and Ron Baker

Obviously, every Heat fan has a soft spot for head coach David Fizdale.

I’m sure we all want him to succeed in New York City, but there are some things management needs to take care of first.

Enes Kanter publicly mulled over the decision to opt into his $18.6 million for this season, but eventually decided to do so, even though he knew the team would be continuing its tanking ways.

This is the first campaign in a while where you can glance at the Knicks roster and see some young talented players listed. They’re still plenty of moves away from making noise in the playoffs, but with wins against the Celtics, Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, and Milwaukee Bucks, you can tell they’re headed in the right direction (finally).

This trade comes as a necessity for the Knicks to get something for Kanter, who is undoubtedly leaving at season’s end.

In this scenario, the Knicks get to rent Whiteside on his player option year.

Think about that for a second.

Next season, the Knicks could roll out a starting lineup of Emmanual Mudiay, Tim Hardaway Jr, Zion Williamson, Kristaps Porzingis, and Whiteside, while kicking the can down the road on their younger players, without taking any real risks (especially if going after Kevin Durant doesn’t pan out).

They can get draft picks from the eventual Frank Ntilikina trade too, while not doing anything crazy like pursuing John Wall.

The Heat would probably like to retain Kanter but most likely won’t be able to afford him minutes-wise or salary-wise, unless they make multiple trades of frontcourt players in the offseason.

If you’re a Knicks fan and that doesn’t make your skin bristle… well, you’re ridiculous.

(Take that for data.)

Home/Heat News