Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (L) with head coach Erik Spoelstra. (Photo : Getty Images)
Hassan Whiteside will be taking his talent to Hollywood, playing for the post-Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers starting next season. This is the prediction made by Bleacher Report featured columnist Jarred Johnson regarding the potential destination of the 7-foot defensive powerhouse this summer.
Whiteside, who was one of the runners-up for the Defensive Player of the Year last season after putting up 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game, is projected to join the Lakers on a four-year, max deal, according to Johnson.
Johnson believes money will play a role in Whiteside's free-agency. The big man is expected to receive no less than a max contract following his breakout season and a paycheck worth below his price demand could force him to leave the Heat for greener pastures of Los Angeles.
"If he feels slighted by the Heat's marginally cheaper offer, don't be surprised if he looks elsewhere. The Los Angeles Lakers have frequently struck out on big-name free agents in recent years, but they have plenty of money and a franchise center role to offer him in Tinseltown. He'll take it," Johnson said of Whiteside.
The Lakers made it known ever since the early phase of the 2015-16 season that they are very interested in the 7-foot Whiteside. Los Angeles have nicely built a solid roster consists of young and dynamic guards (D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson) and forward (Julius Randle), but still missing a dominant center who would carry them back to playoff contention.
While Whiteside is still a project offensively, he nevertheless possesses the defensive arsenal the Lakers have been lacking of the past three seasons. Armed with loads of cash, the Lakers could easily offer Whiteside a four-year deal worth $25 million per season and still have enough money to sign another quality free-agent.
