The NBA free agency rumors continue and one of the names that keeps getting bigger is Hassan Whiteside.
Whiteside is arguably the next best free agent after Kevin Durant (if LeBron James is not considered) as he continues to impress with every performance.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat are now committed to keeping Whiteside as he continues to impress.
"Not only are teammates much happier with Whiteside than ever before, but Pat Riley approached him recently, 'and told me how proud he was of me and to keep building on that,'Whiteside said. Heat executive Alonzo Mourning expressed similar sentiments."
Can the Heat actually keep Whiteside given their cap figures? Jackson continued his report.
"An opposing NBA general manager told me at the All-Star break that he could see a team paying Whiteside a deal starting at $17 million or $18 million. Considering his sterling work since the break, and the enormity of cap space in the league this summer, Whiteside could snag a deal at or very near the first-year max, which in his case would be in the $22 million range, depending on the size of the salary cap."
If the salary cap rises to $ 92 million, the Heat can have cap space of up to $ 40 million to sign Hassan Whiteside, Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng and Joe Johnson. If they need to shell out $20 million for Whiteside, that would not be enough to keep all three, even if Wade takes a significant pay cut (which he is unlikely to do).
The Miami New Times hinted at a possibility that Chris Bosh could be the sacrificial lamb.
Bosh has a serious medical condition but was eventually cleared to play and has had a good season when he's on the floor. However, the Heat has performed well without him as Whiteside flourished, prompting the hypothesis of New Times' Luther Campbell that the Heat do not need Bosh anymore.
"Since Johnson was inserted into the starting lineup, the Heat has won five straight games," Campbell said. "Center Hassan Whiteside continues proving why he should have gained a spot in the All-Star game. He is flourishing without Bosh, whose game forced the Heat to play at a slower, plodding pace."
The new players that the Heat acquired, specifically point guard Goran Dragic are more suited for a fast-paced offense. Is it time for the Heat to move away from the Big Three era?
While the Heat probably cannot trade away Dwyane Wade as he is the face of the team, Bosh can be dealt. His medical condition will be a serious issue as will his salary, but if he is proven to be healthy and with the cap rising, there will be teams that could use his services.