Hassan Whiteside and Dwight Howard (Photo : Getty Images/Scott Haleran)
The Miami Heat are on their way back to making the postseason after missing the playoffs last year. With an improved roster and a healthy Dwyane Wade, it will be interesting to see how deep they can go.
Currently, the Heat have 13 players listed in their current roster and they are looking to add veteran Dorell Wright, who spent mostly of this season playing in China, and Briante Weber, who is playing for the Heat's D-League affiliate team, Sioux Falls Skyforce, ESPN reported.
Also, the Heat are still hopeful that superstar Chris Bosh can return this season. The perennial All-Star was diagnosed with blood clots late last year. It was said to be a life-threatening condition, thus, no timetable is set for his return. His presence, however, will bolster their chances according to head coach Erik Spoelstra and president Pat Riley.
In order for the Heat to remain competitive in the next few years, it would be vital for them to re-sign center Hassan Whiteside, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this off-season. This means he will be free to sign with any team he wants without the Heat having the rights to match the offer and retain his services.
It is said that the LA Lakers will be making a huge offer to the center, CBS Sports reported. The Lakers will have a huge cap space due to Kobe Bryant's contract being off the table due to retirement, plus, the TV deal will finally kick in, which will give them additional $20 million in cap space. All in all, this will account to $55 million in salary cap space the Lakers can spend on free agents.
Upon hearing the rumors, the 26 year-old center could not help but express his delight. He said in a post-game interview last month, "They have been talking about me and the Lakers? I did not know that."
Should the Lakers acquire his services, they will be able to fill a huge hole in the center position. This might possibly leave them with starters comprising of Whiteside at the middle, Julius Randle manning the power forward position, Ben Simmons/Brandon Ingram at the three should the team land in the top two spot in the upcoming draft, Jordan Clarkson taking over Bryant's spot at the two and D'Angelo Russell finally getting his time at the point guard position.
Meanwhile, here is a video from YouTube user Laker Talk discussing the possibility of landing Whiteside, Thunder's Kevin Durant and Hornets' Nicolas Batum.
