The Miami Heat was thrust in the center of the rumor mill primarily because it was assumed that Hassan Whiteside is leaving via free agency.
However, there is actually a mathematical chance that Whiteside could be retained according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.
In a response to reader's question, Winderman notes that the Heat could still have $ 37 million in cap space, and they need to sign Dwyane Wade to a new deal to eliminate his $ 20 million cap hold.
Now this is the tricky part: What they give Wade will dictate how much the Heat can allot to Whiteside and the rest of the roster aside from Bosh, Dragic, McRoberts, Winslow and the Tyler Johnson cap hold which total at about $50 million against a 2016-17 cap estimated at about $89 million.
Considering other cap holds, the Heat could theoretically sign Wade to a 10 million deal, and sign Whiteside to a 15 million deal-but it's expected he would get an offer higher than that. The Heat could go all in and sign him at the max but would be bereft of cap space to fill out the roster spots.
Still, the conclusion that Whiteside is a definite loss is not entirely accurate, especially if one considers Pat Riley running the show.
The Heat has a decent playoff shot and a minor improvement could propel them to East elite status. BBall Breakdown classified the Miami team as buyers at the trade deadline and they could target Kevin Martin for added shooting in exchange for Luol Deng.
"The 32-year-old Martin doesn't quite fit with the youth movement in the Twin Cities, and he's signed for two years," BBall Breakdown's JM Poulard wrote. "On the flip side, Deng's contract expires after this season, and Minnesota might be able to flip him at the trade deadline to a contender looking for a perimeter defender in exchange for a second-round pick."