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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 destinations for Hassan Whiteside

By Tom West

Nov 25, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) looks to the bench during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the Heat 104-01. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) looks to the bench during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the Heat 104-01. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) dribbles the ball as Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) defends in the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Celtics won 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) dribbles the ball as Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) defends in the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Celtics won 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics

In this instance, Miami can look elsewhere in the East for a trade partner. In exchange for Whiteside, and a couple of pieces for salary cap purposes such as Josh McRoberts and Beno Udrih, the Boston Celtics could send Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger and their first round pick (protected 1-7) from the Dallas Mavericks to the Heat.

For the Celtics, they get the chance to trade some quantity for quality and land their future franchise center. As for the Heat, the primary piece they’re landing is, of course, Bradley. He’s a top-tier 3-and-D player, averaging 14.9 points, 1.6 steals and two threes per game at a 36.7 percent rate. He can easily be used to cover both guard spots and he continues to show he can create his own shot at times too, and 43.1 percent shooting from 16-24 feet is a highly effective mark.

As for Sullinger, he offers the Heat a decent shooter who can be used in lineups with Bosh, who also rebounds at an excellent rate (13.1 boards per 36 minutes). However, he isn’t going to be their starter of the future, so Miami will need to explore options in free agency.

This trade idea obviously revolves around the future for both teams. Boston have one of the best young teams in the NBA and they’re more than ready to trade quantity for quality, while the Heat need to consider their uncertain future and avoid losing a franchise center for nothing. Plus, another draft pick is always welcome.

Yet, while this gives Boston their star and lands some young talent and a high rookie prospect in Miami, the issue of whether Whiteside will just leave after a few months to look for better offers in free agency is something that can’t be ignored. If the Celtics want their best chance of keeping him long-term, pursuing a trade is likely their best option.

If Whiteside comes to Boston now, realizes how he could excel as the anchor for a team with such an elite perimeter defense, realizes their bright future, and realizes how good a position he can be in with a mastermind head coach like Brad Stevens, the likelihood of him staying could increase dramatically.

On the other hand, if he enters free agency after a full season with the Heat, he’ll weigh up everyone in the same manner. Perhaps if the Celtics can acquire him now and bring him into the franchise and show him what his future can be like, he’ll decide to stay put as a star in Boston. Whether or not this happens, it’s still the Celtics’ best chance of keeping him long-term.

For the Heat, though, other deals may be better to pursue.

Next: New Orleans Pelicans

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