Pat Riley has denied rumors about trading Miami Heat rising big man Hassan Whiteside, but a report suggested that trading the young center would make sense for the three-time NBA champs.
According to Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders, it would be "very challenging" for the Heat to keep Whiteside because of his impending free agency and contract situation with Miami.
"Whiteside will be an unrestricted free agent in July and Miami doesn't have his Bird Rights, so they must use cap space to re-sign the big man and can't offer more money or contract years than any other interested team," Brigham disclosed.
"It's very possible that Whiteside bolts to another team this summer, so cashing him out for some assets now would be a whole lot better than losing him for nothing by the time July rolls around."
In Brigham's proposed deal, which is possible according to ESPN's trade machine, the Heat would send Whiteside, along with Josh McRoberts to the Dallas Mavericks for Zaza Pachulia and Dwight Powell.
Whiteside would give the Mavs the "borderline All-Star center" they have been looking for this past summer without giving up any of their core pieces they consider part of the franchise's future.
Moreover, Whiteside offers the Mavs a great rim protector and interior defense, which addresses the team's lack of frontcourt depth.
While Whiteside would not guarantee commitment to the Mavs come next year's free agency, Dallas has the better chance to sign him for a max contract when the NBA's new TV deal kicks in.
Meanwhile, Pachulia would only give the Heat a short-term help as he also comes with an expiring contract. However, his veteran presence and offensive skills set in the paint would bolster the Heat, who lacks a big man who can operate well in the post.
Bringing in Powell also guarantees the Heat a piece for their future. Powell, one of the most underrated young big men in the league, would be a better upgrade over McRoberts at the four position.
Pachulia and Powell would also add to the Heat's balanced roster of veterans and young talents, and could prove well to be a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.
However, according to Ethan J Skolnick of the Miami Herald, Whiteside's contract is "virtually worthless" to another team like the Mavs, due to the shot-blocking big man's Bird Rights.
"But here's the thing about the Heat not having Bird Rights: Neither would any team that acquires him," Skolnick wrote.
"That means there is virtually no advantage to acquiring him now. The only potential edge you get in getting him early is that you can get him acclimated to your system, and try to show him it's the perfect place for him to spend his future."
But if the Mavs could manage to convince Whiteside to stay in Dallas and promise him of taking over the team once Dirk Nowitzki retires, this type of trade scenario would prove beneficial for Mark Cuban.