NBA Trade Rumors: 5 destinations for Hassan Whiteside

Houston Rockets

Here’s the trade that you’ll be familiar with if you’ve been looking at the various Whiteside rumors and theories over the last month or so. It’s one of the least enticing deals, though, and new reports indicate it may not be possible. So, let’s examine this first and then move onto some other ideas.

As Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops reported in December, a Whiteside for Dwight Howard trade was supposedly a likely scenario:

"Dwight Howard is extremely unhappy in Houston playing second fiddle to alpha dog James Harden, multiple league sources tell SheridanHoops.com. And with the Rockets underachieving more than any NBA team, look for them to try to move Howard later this season. And the destination that makes the most sense is Miami in a trade centered around Hassan Whiteside. It makes so much sense, in fact, that I will go so far as to predict that Howard will be wearing a Miami Heat uniform by the end of February."

Yet, since this proposed suggestion that sent trade rumors flying around, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders has just reported that it’s incredibly unlikely Howard will be traded:

"As much as Dwight Howard’s name was kicked around earlier in the season, league sources continue to say that Houston is not looking at Howard trades and that the odds of Howard being moved are so incredibly small it’s not worth exploring… The Rockets have known since the day they landed Howard that he would be a free agent this July, and they have been planning for a new contract for Howard since they acquired him. That does not mean the Rockets will give Howard the expected $30 million maximum salary that he is eligible to receive as a free agent, but the Rockets are prepared to do a new long-term deal with the big man this summer… Trading Howard now ensures the Rockets take a step backwards, and league sources say because of the huge financial commitment it will take to secure Howard in July, his value in trade is extremely low and that’s before you consider his team-high $22.359 million salary."

With that in mind, it looks like Houston may not be the landing spot for Whiteside that some expected. Maybe Howard is happy alongside James Harden and Co. and the Heat will need to look elsewhere if they want to trade their soon-to-be max player.

That’s better for Miami anyway. Howard is still averaging 14.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, but age and injury mean he’s far from the player he was in Orlando. However, even though Whiteside has some issues that could limit him from max contract level, he’s still better than Dwight. In terms of current athleticism, talent and particularly upside, Whiteside isn’t someone you want to lose for an older center.

Even though Howard can still be a force, the next four options are better for Miami.

Next: Boston Celtics