If the latest NBA trade rumors involving Hassan Whiteside are true, then the Miami Heat front office should prepare for the backlash.
Yibada report claims the improving big man, who turned heads last season for his triple double games, is being targeted by Dallas for a deal that could be more beneficial for the Miami Heat.
"Dallas fans at The Smoking Cuban believe it's better for the Heat to give up Whiteside in exchange for a very valuable asset," the website wrote.
"The proposal might be hard to sell, considering that Whiteside has turned his reputation around from journeyman to possible franchise-building piece. But the Mavs fans still make an argument. The proposal is to send Zaza Pachulia and Dwight Powell to the Mavericks along with the precious 2017 first round pick in exchange for Hassan Whiteside and Josh McRoberts."
At Sun Sentinel, Ira Winderman argued that Miami Heat could opt to trade Whiteside to clear cap space.
"Under NBA rules, the Heat have no ability to lock up Whiteside before the start of free agency. And even then, they lack the type of incumbent-team advantage that is typical in free agency because Whiteside will not have completed the required three seasons with the same team. The only ways the Heat can re-sign Whiteside without regard to the 2015-16 salary cap is if he again accepts the minimum salary (not happening) or the Early Bird average salary, which could fall at about the $8 million range (also likely far below his expected market value)."
"About the only way Whiteside could be locked up before free agency would be if the Heat were to trade him to a team that has ample salary-cap space. Bottom line: Whiteside will enter 2016 free agency as a player up for grabs to any team with the requisite salary-cap space," Winderman added.
Miami Heat hasn't respond in this NBA trade rumor. Hassan Whiteside was a revelation last season when he record a career triple double with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 blocks (Heat record) in win against the Chicago Bulls. He was drafted 33rd overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2010.
