NBA Free Agency 2016: 5 worst fits for Hassan Whiteside

May 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) has a shot blocked by Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Heat won 102-96. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

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DALLAS, TX – APRIL 23: Zaza Pachulia /

5. Dallas Mavericks

Zaza Pachulia was a great story this season, as he recorded an astonishing 22 double-doubles, while nearly unseating Kawhi Leonard for a starting spot in the All-Star Game. However, it’s no surprise that the Mavericks are meeting with Hassan Whiteside, since they are incredibly thin at the position. Mark Cuban made as much obvious when he followed Whiteside on Twitter.

Whiteside playing alongside Dirk would be a treat to watch, and Dallas is probably the best destination for him not named Miami. But if there’s one thing that Rick Carlisle will learn very soon about Whiteside is that he has a troublesome mentality.

Whiteside is only 26, and anyone who gets paid a max contract at that age will take it for granted. And especially since Whiteside will get the opportunity to play beside a Hall of Famer, it’s easy to envision that he won’t work as hard as he did before. His basketball IQ is also not the sharpest, as he has made some noticeably bad gambles on defense.

Sure, the fact that he’s that age also means that he’s entering his prime and that he can lead a big three of the next generation consisting of himself, Wesley Matthews, and Chandler Parsons. But Miami has a great mix of young talent in guys like Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow along with veterans in Chris Bosh, Goran Dragic, and Dwyane Wade, while Whiteside acts as the middleman.

Unless Hassan Whiteside wants to go through the same hilarious episode of free agency that DeAndre Jordan went through with the Mavericks, he’d be better suited staying in Miami.

Next: 4. Golden State Warriors

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