Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (R) drives past Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside. (Photo : Getty Images)
Recent rumors are out that the Miami Heat are going to pursue Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson in free-agency if Hassan Whiteside decides to bolt out of South Florida this summer.
After his incredible 2015-2016 season, the 26-year-old Whiteside is expected to attract a lot of interest from the NBA's top clubs this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
He averaged career highs in scoring (14.2), rebounds (11.8), and shot blocks (3.7, league-leading) in the recent regular season, which is a bargain considering the less than a million dollars salary Miami paid him for his services.
With that, the NBA All-Defensive Second Teamer is set to receive a massive pay increase starting next season and so it would not be surprising if teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, or Dallas Mavericks reach out and offer him a max salary contract, something that the Heat allegedly cannot afford to give him.
With Whiteside's virtually unpredictable situation, Pat Riley and company are said to be not taking any chances and so a "Plan B" is set into motion.
The Palm Beach Post indicated that the Hornets' veteran big man, 31-year-old Jefferson, is a "good option" for Miami.
Jefferson is also set to become an unrestricted free agent this July after finishing his three-year, $40.5 million contract with the Hornets.
Although aging, Jefferson is still a commanding inside force in the league when healthy. He averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 boards in 2013-2014, which was the year before he had various physical issues such as groin and calf injuries that made him miss 52 games in the last two seasons.
While Jefferson reportedly wants to stay in Charlotte next season, as per ESPN, there are rumors that the Hornets are ready to let him go this summer as head coach Steve Clifford is said to be intending to convert their offense into a faster-paced, more fluid type.
Jefferson had thrived with the Hornets dumping him the ball inside during every offensive play in the past several seasons, and Clifford allegedly wants to change that with Kemba Walker running the show.
With the Heat, it is evident that Jefferson need not to be the focal point of the offense with Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, and Goran Dragic, but he can definitely help with his size, defense, rebounding, much like what Whiteside provides.
However, recurring concerns about his health is a risk that Miami would have to take if they decide to sign him up.
