Hassan Whiteside (Photo : Mike Ehrmann | Getty Images Sport)
The Miami Heat is one team to watch before the deadline. The inevitability of Hassan Whiteside's departure looms over them.
This reality was brought to the spotlight by Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops when he declared that Dwight Howard could be traded "and the destination that makes the most sense is Miami in a trade centered around Hassan Whiteside...Heat president Pat Riley is going to try to turn Whiteside into the best available center he can find."
The Houston Rockets may still be hesitating to pull that trigger, and Pat Riley is correct when he mentioned that D12's salary is too high that they need to send solid assets to acquire him.
But the reality of Whiteside's status remains and that makes him a viable trade target. The Daily Knicks' Maxwell Ogden suggested that the Big Apple team pursue the NBA's leader in blocked shots.
"Under a rising salary cap, the willingness to execute such a deal will improve. For the Knicks, pursuing their rival's coveted center shouldn't wait until this upcoming offseason," Ogden claimed. "Not only would Whiteside solidify the Knicks' defensive interior, but he'd be an excellent interior complement to the versatility of Kristaps Porzingis-a dream tandem for New York's future."
Ogden did not specify which players they would send to build the "dream tandem" but because of Whiteside's measly salary, it is anticipated that the Heat will use this trade to dump salary. Also, the Heat would probably take the Knicks' young assets.
Short of Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks could be amenable to trading anyone on the roster. A trade which sends Robin Lopez (to take over the center spot) will require the Knicks taking on salaries of Chris Andersen and possibly Josh McRoberts. The Heat may also ask for Jerian Grant or Derrick Williams.
The Heat's Pat Riley may understand the inevitability of Whiteside's departure but he will definitely take what he can get as the prize for unleashing his prowess.
