Money matters take center stage for the Miami Heat as they face a very challenging offseason.
The big question regarding their big man, defensive behemoth Hassan Whiteside and whether the team will throw the max contract has been addressed by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
"We've repeatedly heard the Heat's preference is persuading him to sign under the max (projected to be $21.6 million next season) by selling him on the lack of state income tax, his comfort level here, the roster flexibility created by him taking a bit less," Jackson noted.
However, that is a very risky move since there are teams that are willing to offer Whiteside the max and as Jackson noted, the next center on the market is Al Horford, who has an even higher max than Whiteside has.
Whiteside's value cannot be overstated, as Ira Winderman quoted in his Sun Sentinel column. Quoting an anonymous NBA scout, he compared Whiteside's worth to Eastern Conference Finals sensation Bismack Biyombo and their possible paychecks.
On rumors that Biyombo could fetch the max contract (near $18 million estimate): "To me, that is a total reach. I'd say $12 million, and a good portion of that is the bump up from there's a lot of money available. There's an over-priced factor. But $17 million? $18 million? That's absurd."
But in contrast, Whiteside is worth the $ 22 million max salary and he explains why: "From what people told me, yes. But he is more than that. He is a much better version than Biyombo. He can score. You're not playing four on five."
The NBA is now a scoring league and having a one-dimensional player would be detrimental to a team. Whiteside has graduated from just a rim protector to a solid offensive option.
While it seems easy to suggest that the Heat just give him the max, the team has other concerns, specifically Dwyane Wade. Jackson mentioned that the possible offer that the team is contemplating for Wade is over 15 million and possibly closer to 20 million.
While some may demand a discount, Wade has proven his worth in the playoffs and with Bosh's fate still unknown, stands as the team's lone superstar.
The Heat has stated its limits and now it's up to Whiteside to decide on whether it's acceptable.