The Miami Heat have been looking to trade Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen all offseason and heading into camp those players could remain on the trading block. Miami has Hassan Whiteside and his contract a priority for the summer of 2016 and while Kevin Durant could be a free agent target, keeping Whiteside could stop the team from realistically pursuing Durant
Miami is coming into the season looking to rebound after missing the playoffs following the departure of LeBron James. Miami signed back Dwyane Wade and kept Goran Dragic on a near max deal and along with Whiteside, Chris Bosh and Luol Deng, Pat Riley thinks he has a core that can make a run in the east. The team added Justise Winslow in the draft and he will help with depth along with Amar'e Stoudemire and Gerald Green, who can come off the bench.
Whiteside is a key player for Miami this season and he also is going to play a big part in the future if the team can keep him. Whiteside had a breakout season last year and now he is set to cash in big for 2016. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miami guaranteed the salary for Whiteside this season already and he is making less than $1 million, which is a major bargain for the Heat. The team wishes they signed Whiteside for more when they brought him in, as he could command around $15 million or more with his potential.
The potential trades with Andersen and Chalmers could have some bearing on things, as Miami is trying to lower their luxury tax heading into the season. The team already traded Zoran Dragic and Shabazz Napier this summer and the team is hoping to move Chalmers and/or Andersen before the opener. According to the Miami Herald, there has not been much of a market for Andersen, while Chalmers likely will get a chance to come into camp before a deal happens. The Herald reports that Miami wants to "take a look" at guards Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson before making a move.
Whiteside comes in after averaging nearly 12 points and 10.0 rebounds per game last season and he is looking to put up similar numbers over a full season this year. Whiteside reportedly could have his minutes limited a bit this season, as the Miami Herald reports that the Heat doesn't want to tire out the center through the season. Whiteside averaged 23 minutes per game last season and the Herald reports he could see around 25 minutes per game this season.
Miami still has some roster decisions and moves to make and what happens will largely depend on whether the team can trade Andersen and/or Chalmers. James Ennis is on the roster bubble and the team has until the season starts to decide on keeping him or not. Johnson is going to get a long look and while he is likely to stay, there is a chance he could get bounced down if Chalmers is not traded. The team is also bringing in Keith Benson and Corey Hawkins into training camp.
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