NBA Rumors: Hassan Whiteside was extremely critical of his minutes during the playoffs; has he played his last game in a Miami Heat uniform?
The Miami Heat’s season ended Tuesday night, when they fell at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5. But the bigger story coming out of the series, for Miami, was a question of what this team will look like when it opens training camp in a few months.
There were a few things that jumped off the screen when you watched the Heat and Sixers series, and one of the biggest ones was the talent discrepancy between the two teams.
Miami simply didn’t have the talent to match up with the Sixers. Additionally, a big problem for the Heat was also Hassan Whiteside, who could stay out of foul trouble. And even when he did manage to stay on the floor, it was clear that he wasn’t entirely engaged.
During their first-round series, Hassan averaged five points and six rebounds in 15 minutes per contest.
After the series, he let it be known that he was not happy with his playing time, nor his current role on the team.
Hassan again makes clear he is unhappy about playing time, plans to talk to Heat officials about future.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) April 25, 2018
There’s a very real chance that Hassan Whiteside has played his last game in a Miami Heat uniform. Although, it won’t be easy to trade him this summer.
Whiteside only has two years remaining on his current deal, but at the rate the NBA is evolving there’s little room for a big like Whiteside. He isn’t a unicorn and is somewhat of a blackhole on the offensive end. If he isn’t getting touches, he pouts.
That’s not exactly the type of max player many teams, if any, are going to want to jump in bed with.
Must Read: 2018 NBA Playoffs: What we learned from the Sixers-Heat first-round series
While I’d be shocked if he wasn’t shopped this summer, there’s also a very good chance that the Miami Heat might be stuck with him for the next two seasons. Ultimately, the two sides might just have to figure it out. But if the Heat had it their way, there’s no question he’s going to be moved this summer. It’s a matter of when and to whom.