Hassan Whiteside Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Southeast Notes: Wittman, Whiteside, McRoberts

April 1st, 2016 at 12:23pm CST by Chuck Myron

The relationship between coach Randy Wittman and Wizards players isn’t what it used to be after in a season in which he’s endured criticism and public questioning of his authority, writes J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic. Marcin Gortat has simmered all year after Wittman criticized his lack of rebounding after a November game, and he and the coach went months without having a conversation to address the matter as Gortat chose to remain silent on the issue, Michael writes. The coach, who has only a partially guaranteed salary for next season, and the center had their ups and downs even before this season, as Michael points out.

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Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald examines the improving offensive game of Hassan Whiteside, who’s No. 10 in our latest Free Agent Power Rankings. Whiteside has engendered himself to Heat brass as he’s given more deference to winning instead of statistics of late, as The Herald’s Ethan Skolnick examined this week, and he’s looking at ways to apply the influx of cash he’s expected to receive starting next season toward bettering his performance, as Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post relays. “It’ll help me do things to better myself and finally get to do some things I’ve wanted to do, different things like going to train at places I couldn’t afford,” Whiteside said. “I couldn’t afford them places. That’s why I was working out at the Y. I could get a nutritionist and a chef. I could get a massage therapist. Stuff I could use to better myself that are a little hard for me right now.”
Josh McRoberts will still have two years and more than $11.8MM left on his contract after this season, but Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel finds it tough to envision him remaining with the Heat for next year, given coach Erik Spoelstra‘s reluctance to use him.
Many have wondered whether the Tobias Harris trade signaled that coach Scott Skiles is usurping some of GM Rob Hennigan‘s influence within the Magic organization, writes Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post. Decision-making power in Orlando looms large ahead of a summer that presents lots of key choices, as Bontemps examines.

Heat Notes: Whiteside, Johnson, Stoudemire

March 30th, 2016 at 6:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

There have been reports that the Lakers intend to target Hassan Whiteside this offseason, but the big man said that any potential interest from Los Angeles was news to him, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel relays. “They’ve been talking about me and the Lakers?” Whiteside responded when asked about the Lakers’ potential interest. “I didn’t know that.” The big man did add that the Lakers should be familiar with what he can do from his time spent with them prior to the 2014/15 campaign, Winderman adds. “I worked out for the Lakers before I worked out with the Heat,” Whiteside said. “So, I mean, they’ve seen it. They had a chance to see what I could do. I know Byron Scott was there and a couple of other front-office guys.”

Whiteside, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, added that his favorite places to play on the road were New York and L.A., Winderman also relays. “I feel like [Madison Square] Garden and the Staples Center are like the two biggest places to play,” he said. “I feel like those places are just special just because there are so many celebrities and everybody is there.”

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The addition of Joe Johnson has revitalized the player as well as the Heat’s offense, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes. The veteran was looking beyond the 2015/16 season when making his decision, and Johnson envisions himself finishing his career in South Beach, Zillgitt adds. “I’m not looking at the big payday. Been there, done that,” Johnson said. “I just want to be somewhere where I could help contribute and play in meaningful games. That’s what it’s all about. I was looking for some type of security – not necessarily a verbal commitment – but somewhere where I could play and enjoy the game.”
Amar’e Stoudemire‘s revitalized play and relative good health this season has reinforced his desire to play in the NBA for a few more years, Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post writes. The 33-year-old has appeared in 45 games for the Heat this season and is averaging 5.9 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per contest. Stoudemire will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra appreciates the maturity that Justise Winslow has shown in his willingness to embrace and earn a role in the rotation rather than relying on his status as a lottery pick to garner minutes, Winderman writes in a separate piece. “You can talk yourself into existence. He doesn’t believe in that. We don’t believe in that,” Spoelstra said. “He’s got a very good head on his shoulders. He has a great approach. He has a veteran approach to the game, and it’s pure. He wants to win. He’s only about winning and getting better every single day.”

Heat Rumors: Whiteside, McRoberts, Green, Bosh

March 27th, 2016 at 1:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Heat have decided they want to keep impending free agent center Hassan Whiteside but are concerned that he’s getting more expensive, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. There were “serious concerns” earlier in the year about giving a huge deal to Whiteside, Jackson hears, but his recent play has taken care of those. Team president Pat Riley and executive Alonzo Mourning have both told Whiteside they’re happy with his progress, but the team can’t hold any formal contract discussions until summer because league rules prevent extensions for players with two-year deals. Whiteside could get a starting salary of approximately $22MM on a max contract, depending on the size of the cap. “I hope [there’s interest],” Whiteside said. “I like the organization. Pat Riley is always going to do a great job of adding people that are going to help you win. It’s not hard to sell to come to Miami. You can always recruit great talent.”

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Miami’s decision on how to handle its two open roster spots could be determined by the team’s faith in Josh McRoberts and Gerald Green, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. The columnist says if the Heat believe both veteran forwards can contribute in the playoffs, they will likely fill the spots with players from their successful D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls. However, if there is doubt about McRoberts and Green, Winderman thinks the Heat will pursue a more seasoned player, suggesting 30-year-old Dorell Wright as a possibility. Wright, who began his career in Miami, played for the Blazers during the past two seasons but spent this year in the Chinese Basketball Association.
With the regular season schedule dwindling, it’s becoming unlikely that Chris Bosh will play again before the playoffs, Winderman writes in the same story. Bosh hasn’t been in a game since February 9th because of concerns about reported blood clots in his left calf. With a western trip looming this week, Winderman notes that the team may not hold another practice before April 4th, which limits Bosh’s chance to return.
Joe Johnson has started riding an exercise bike after games to help build endurance to keep up with Miami’s fast-paced offense, tweets Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post. Johnson chose the Heat over the Cavaliers after agreeing to a buyout with Brooklyn because he prefers an up-tempo style.

Heat Rumors: Whiteside, Wade, Weber

March 21st, 2016 at 10:11pm CST by Arthur Hill

Hassan Whiteside has earned a maximum contract with his play over the past two seasons, contends Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. The Heat center leads the NBA in blocks and is fourth in rebounding, and Kennedy believes he has a strong case to be named Defensive Player of the Year. Because Whiteside was out of the league for two seasons, Miami was able to get him at a bargain rate. He’s making just $981,348 this year, but a major raise will be coming when he hits unrestricted free agency in July. Seventeen teams are projected to have enough cap space to offer at least one max deal, and the Heat won’t have Bird rights on him. “I can’t control anything that’s going to happen in free agency,” Whiteside said recently to Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. “I just try to be the best teammate and the best guy I can be and I think everything else is going to take its place. [My inner circle and I] really don’t talk about it. It’s really like, ‘Whenever the time comes, it comes.’ We focus on making a deep playoff run and everything else is in due time.”

There’s more tonight out of Miami:

Dwyane Wade, 34, gives hardly any thought to retirement, according to Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post. The shooting guard, who scored his 20,000th NBA point Saturday, has a chance to play 75 games for the first time since the 2010/11 season. Team president Pat Riley said recently that the 13-year veteran could play until he’s 40, and Wade may be intent on doing that. “I go out there each year and try to do what I can within that season and I’m gonna try to do that until I don’t want to do that no more,” Wade said. “If God continues to bless me where I’m able to have the health to play, then I will do it. When I feel like I don’t want to do it no more, hopefully I can walk away from it when that time comes. But I’m enjoying it, man. I really like this team. I really like the vibe that we’re building in the city of Miami. No complaints here.”
Briante Weber, whom the Grizzlies chose not to re-sign when his 10-day contract ended Friday, has rejoined the Heat’s D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls, tweets Chris Reichert of Upside and Motor.

Heat Rumors: Riley, Bosh, Whiteside, LeBron

March 20th, 2016 at 3:13pm CST by Arthur Hill

Team president Pat Riley says the Heat are taking an “open-minded” stance on the health of All-Star big man Chris Bosh, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Riley added that there is no expectation about whether Bosh will play again this season. “We’re just supportive of Chris and what he’s going through,” Riley said. “We’re just going to wait and see what the future holds. There really isn’t any comment. I have great empathy for the man. I know how much he wants to play. We’ll just see where it goes.”

Bosh, who hasn’t played since the All-Star break due to blood clots in his left calf, released a statement earlier this month saying that the condition has subsided and indicating that he plans to return before the end of the season. Jackson reports that Bosh has received mixed medical opinions, and Heat officials want to be fully convinced that there’s no danger before they let him play again. Last month, the Heat were reportedly trying to convince Bosh to sit out the rest of the season. The team has reason to be concerned about Bosh’s health, as blood clots in his lungs cut last season short for him and he still has three years and nearly $76MM remaining on his contract.

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Riley also marveled at the progress of center Hassan Whiteside, Jackson relays in the same piece. Whiteside signed with Miami in November 2014 after two seasons out of the NBA, and he quickly became a shot-blocking and rebounding force who now has a shot at a maximum contract in free agency. “In my 50 years in the NBA, I’ve never seen that kind of phenomenon,” Riley said. “I know that’s hurting me right now as far as his free agency goes, complimenting him. But he’s really grown a lot.”
After the Heat crushed the Cavaliers on Saturday, LeBron James offered a hug to his former coach, Erik Spoelstra, and some kind words for the rebuilding job the Heat franchise has done since he left for Cleveland in 2014, writes Ethan Skolnick of The Miami Herald. “They’ve opened up the floor a lot more now, with them being able to put Luol [Deng] at the four, and it definitely benefits [Goran] Dragic for sure. He looks to play in the open floor. It definitely helps their tempo,” James said. “And then the kid coming off the bench, Josh Richardson, really gives them a boost as well.”

Heat Notes: Deng, Whiteside, Haslem

March 18th, 2016 at 3:20pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Veteran big man Udonis Haslem is averaging a career-low 7.6 minutes per contest this season and is viewed as more of a mentor than a part of the team’s regular rotation, a role he is trying to embrace, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel relays. “I’ve had so many different roles in my career,” Haslem said. “I’ve been a starter. I’ve been a sixth man. And now my role is coming to the point of where I’m more of a mentor, I’m more of a leader off the floor. But it’s still a job. It’s still something that I have to do my best at. It’s still something that I’ve got to put effort into. It’s still something that I’ve got to master. It’s still something that challenges me every game.”

“I want to be out there in the fight,” Haslem continued. “But if I’m not in the fight, then I have to do the best job that I can on the outside looking in. So that means pointing out things that I see on the floor, keeping the guys encouraged, being an extension of the coaches to some extent. And just still making sure guys do things the way that we do things. It’s a constant battle with myself because I’m such a competitor. I want to be on the floor. And it’s not like I’m old and broke down. I can still play. But I understand that there has to be room for these new guys. They have to blossom and they have to flourish and the only they’re going to do that is to get out there and play and get the experience. So, for that to happen, somebody has to step to the side.”

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Combo forward Luol Deng, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, indicated that his priority when signing his next contract is to play for a winning organization and to not be a part of any rebuilding effort, as he told Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today on their podcast (Audio link). Deng praised the Heat organization, referring to it as “first class,” and also lauded the team’s up-tempo offense, as the duo relayed. But despite Deng’s happiness with the team as well as his move to power forward, he told the USA Today writers that he fully intends to explore his options on the open market this summer. The 30-year-old has appeared in 61 games this season and is averaging 12.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 32.1 minutes per night. Deng is earning $10,151,612 in the final season of his contract.
The Heat owe much of their second-half success to the improved play of the team’s reserves, Ethan J. Skolnick of The Miami Herald notes. Since moving center Hassan Whiteside into a reserve role, Miami has improved its bench output from last in the league with an average of 25.5 points in 17.5 minutes per game to ninth with 37.1 points in 18.8 minutes of action per contest, the scribe relays.

Southeast Notes: Wade, Chalmers, Green, Hawks

March 13th, 2016 at 9:59am CST by Arthur Hill

Mario Chalmers is getting help from a former Heat teammate as he begins the long recovery process from a ruptured right Achilles tendon, according to Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Chalmers suffered the injury, which will keep him out for the rest of the season, during Wednesday’s game. Upon hearing the news, Dwyane Wade called Chalmers and contacted Dallas’ Wesley Matthews, who went through the same thing a year ago. Wade and Chalmers had spent more than seven seasons together in Miami before Chalmers was shipped to Memphis in a November 10th deal.

To create a roster opening to add another player, the injury-depleted Grizzlies decided to waive Chalmers. He will be a free agent this summer, but the move means Memphis will no longer own his Bird rights. “When a team makes a decision, it’s fine to everybody.” Wade said. “But when a player makes a decision, everybody goes crazy. So I guess it’s the business decision they were supposed to make. I don’t know their business and what they had to deal with, so I can’t comment on it.”

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Gerald Green had a missed opportunity in Saturday’s loss to the Raptors, Winderman writes in a separate piece. The 30-year-old swingman, who will be a free agent this summer, shot just 1 of 9 from the field in nearly 22 minutes of playing time. The extended minutes came with Wade sitting out, and Winderman says Green won’t have many more chances like that this season, especially if Tyler Johnson can return from a shoulder injury.
Wade’s asking price this summer will go a long way in determining whether the Heat can afford to re-sign center Hassan Whiteside, Winderman adds in the same story.
The Hawks‘ Edy Tavares and Lamar Patterson should prepare for extended stays in the D-League, according to Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Coach Mike Budenholzer called their latest assignments “long term,” as he plans to finish the season with a 10-man rotation. Tavares has made 10 trips to the D-League this season, while Patterson has gone five times. “I think it’s going to be good for them to play multiple games and practice and be more settled,” Budenholzer said. “I don’t know exactly how long it will be, but to say it’s a long-term outlook is fair.”

Heat Notes: Johnson, Whiteside, Deng

March 6th, 2016 at 2:24pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Joe Johnson has enjoyed success since coming to the Heat and he cites Erik Spoelstra‘s offense as a factor for choosing to come to Miami, Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post writes. “I did my research, and [Dwyane] Wade and those guys were telling me the type of tempo they wanted to run,” Johnson said. “That was an attraction to me.”

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Hassan Whiteside had a 90-minute meeting with Spoelstra during the All-Star break, and it further solidified his relationship with his coach, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. “We have an understanding of each other,” Whiteside said. “We talked for so long. Me and coach Spo, we worked our way up to get here. Spo is my guy.”
Teammates have noticed a difference in Whiteside’s attitude since the All-Star break, Jackson adds in the same piece. “[Whiteside is] more focused,” Goran Dragic said. “He’s just happy. He’s found that last step he needs in his game.” Whiteside will be an unrestricted free agent during the offseason.
Luol Deng, who will also be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has impressed since the Heat moved him to the four in the starting lineup, and he acknowledged that he will probably play more at the power forward position as he continues his career, Jackson writes in the same piece. Jackson envisions a big man rotation of Whiteside, Chris Bosh and Deng next season, but he admits that there may not be enough cap space to keep both Whiteside and Deng on the roster.

Heat Rumors: Whiteside, Ennis, Stokes, Dragic

March 5th, 2016 at 7:30pm CST by Arthur Hill

Hassan Whiteside may face a choice this summer between money and winning, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. The Heat center figures to get a maximum offer from someone, especially with the rising salary cap, but it may not be Miami. Winderman notes the Heat are accustomed to getting hometown discounts from players who want to be part of the franchise tradition and like the idea of being in South Florida. Whiteside said it may be tempting to be the star of another team, but that won’t affect his decision when free agency arrives. “I feel like a lot of people want to be that,” he said. “But I want to win more than anything. I don’t really want to be the face of a losing franchise. You want to be a face of a winning program. And it’s always easier to get people to come to Miami.”

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James Ennis and Jarnell Stokes are on the open market, but league rules keep them off-limits to Miami, Winderman writes in the same piece. Teams are prohibited from reacquiring players that they’ve traded away for a full calendar year or the time their contracts would have expired. The Heat traded Ennis to Memphis on November 10th and dealt Stokes to New Orleans on February 18th. Both are now free agents. Ennis and Stokes can play with the Heat’s summer league team, but neither can sign with Miami until the anniversaries of their respective trades. Stokes is currently with Miami’s D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls.
A year after being traded to Miami, point guard Goran Dragic is playing at a more comfortable pace, Winderman writes in a separate story. Coach Erik Spoelstra changed the team’s philosophy after the All-Star break, telling players to run up court and start the offense more quickly. That benefits Dragic, who has always preferred an up-tempo approach. “He’s feeling more comfortable with organization, with the team, with his teammates, the style of play, when to attack,” Spoelstra said. “He’s gaining confidence because he knows his teammates want him to be aggressive.”
Joe Johnson was immediately impressed with the way his new teammates play defense, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. “It’s great they’re defensive minded,” said Johnson, who signed with Miami a week ago. “You don’t see that in young ages. They know and understand to be on the court, they’ve got to make an impact somewhere.”

Heat Notes: Dragic, Conley, Johnson, Tax

March 1st, 2016 at 3:00pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Heat were feeling out the trade value of Goran Dragic before the deadline, a source told Sean Deveney of The Sporting News, and that jibes with an earlier report that the team was open to hearing offers for the point guard. Deveney also reiterates that Miami is unsurprisingly eyeing prime free agent Mike Conley. It’s all part of what appears to be a two-year plan that team president Pat Riley has in place to use his reputation as a recruiter and team builder and the natural appeal of Miami to restore the Heat to title contention, league sources told Deveney. See more from South Beach:

Joe Johnson wants to play the rest of his career with the Heat, and while he acknowledged it’s not certain whether he will, the 34-year-old said that’s Riley’s goal too, observes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “The most important thing Pat told me was that this wasn’t just a short-term deal, that he would like me to finish my career here,” Johnson said. “That’s what we’re working toward. I want to come out and help as much as possible.”
The Heat promised Johnson a starting role before he signed, The Herald’s Ethan Skolnick notes.
The Johnson has often spent time in Miami for offseason workouts and said he felt right at home when he signed, as Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel details. “I really didn’t know much about the Heat organization and how they worked. Things I’ve heard that they were very first class. Just in the past couple of days, I’ve seen a lot of things I haven’t seen in my 15-year career. So I’ve been impressed,” Johnson said.
Soon-to-be free agent Hassan Whiteside expressed some encouraging sentiments today about his future with Miami, as The Herald’s Manny Navarro relays (Twitter link). “I feel comfortable as long as I’ve got a Heat jersey on,” Whiteside said. “Coming off the bench, starting, I just love playing for this team.”
The Heat have about $41,600 to spend without going over the tax line after Monday’s controversial buyout with Beno Udrih, as Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders reported and as we detailed in an earlier post about the market for reported Miami target Marcus Thornton. Miami would have more to spend if another team claims Udrih off waivers.