The Miami Heat remain on the fringe of the Eastern Conference as a team potentially prepared to make a run deep into the playoffs. However, things like three-point shooting are a concern as the Heat are opening themselves up to trade deals for help. With eye on the long-term outlook and their planned pursuit of guys like Kevin Durant, is Hassan Whiteside up for grabs before the league deadline?
According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, the Heat are listening to offers for Whiteside as the 26-year-old plays out the final year of his contract. Whiteside is averaging 12,0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, but opponents are shooting 47.9 percent again him. Whiteside will command a big contract this summer and while the Heat were favored to bring him back, they have changed their tune. Could it be because of a contract to Dwyane Wade?
After accepting a one-year deal in free agency, Wade has no plans of doing the same again this upcoming summer. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Wade wants his contract complete before free agency even begins because he has no interest in sitting on the market waiting for his turn. Wade will cost the Heat more money this time around after he agreed to a smaller contract in 2015. That deal paired with a potential max contract has opened the door to trade Whiteside now instead of losing him for nothing later.
The market for centers is hot right now. Several players are being made available including Dwight Howard and Al Horford. They will all cost a lot in a trade just like Whiteside will, but teams are showing interest. Any team that trades for one of these three players will have the intentions of re-signing them in the offseason, but they also run the risk of giving up a lot for a one-season rental.
According to Ethan Skolnick of the Miami Herald, in order to solve their three-point shooting issues, the Heat are targeting guys like Omri Casspi from the Sacramento Kings. The Heat would have to include a draft pick in the deal, but they could easily move someone like Chris Andersen in the trade and save their assets like Tyler Johnson. The Heat could also look at Kyle Korver from the Atlanta Hawks or Tobias Harris from the Orlando Magic.
Is trading Whiteside the best move for the Heat? Fansided.com makes the argument that they person who should be traded is Goran Dragic who continues to struggle with the team. Dragic's style of play is not fitting in South Beach, but do not expect a trade to get made. His max contract is not a desire of any team right now heading into the deadline.
