Miami Heat: 3 potential deals for Hassan Whiteside’s expiring contract

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 26: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic on March 26, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 26: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic on March 26, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Miami Heat’s Hassan Whiteside (21) is fouled by Charlotte Hornets’ Dwayne Bacon (7) in the first quarter on Sunday, March, 17, 2019 at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami Heat’s Hassan Whiteside (21) is fouled by Charlotte Hornets’ Dwayne Bacon (7) in the first quarter on Sunday, March, 17, 2019 at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)

Charlotte Hornets

Being one of the places that the big man likes to call home, Charlotte would more than likely welcome the arrival of Hassan Whiteside. It is rumored that he is actually interested in exploring this option as well. What makes the scenario that much more interesting is that current Charlotte Hornet’s Head Coach James Borrego is rumored to want a shot-blocking center to anchor next year’s team as well.

Although it all sounds too good to be true, there is a way to make this all happen. It involves Kemba Walker though, but perhaps that is apart of Borrego’s plan, one that includes Kemba’s remaining presence in Charlotte. Kemba Walker has been excellent for the Charlotte Hornets since he arrived there from the University of Connecticut, but whether or not the diminutive guard can be the main guy on an NBA championship team has long been a question.

With that in mind and if it were to go down, it would involve a sign-and-trade type of deal, where Kemba would sign a deal with the first year salary being within $5 million of Whiteside’s current $25.4 million. This would allow the two teams to make the trade, whereas the rest of the deal would be backloaded with raises for Walker each year afterward. That is one way to get Hassan to the Hornets, while also getting value for an expiring deal.