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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June 2, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) plays for the ball against Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) during the second half in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Golden State Warriors

Following their loss in the NBA Finals, a rumor started circulating that the Golden State Warriors were targeting big men in free agency – among the names floated were Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Hassan Whiteside.

The reason being is that they need a center who’s able to score inside since defenders didn’t even need to worry about guarding Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli while, defensively, those two were simply overmatched by guys like Tristan Thompson and Steven Adams.

But where Whiteside’s basketball IQ would be a liability the most is with the Warriors. Obviously, he’s a much improved player from when he came into the NBA, but according to Pat Riley, he used to just stand in the middle of the court when asked to run a zone, and had no clue how to play man-to-man defense. Add in the foul trouble he easily gets himself into, and it’s no wonder why a lot of teams released him early on.

While Whiteside has improved a lot on defense, he still commits a lot of fouls. Just last season, he racked up a total of 96 shooting fouls, eight blocking fouls, and 30 offensive fouls. Golden State as a team had 20.7 personal fouls per game last season, and can’t afford to pay someone who will put them in trouble in that area. We already saw how poorly Steph Curry reacts to getting fouled out.

Not to mention, he probably won’t get paid max money as the team continues to pursue Kevin Durant. Whereas Whiteside is the second or third most important player on the Heat, he would hardly be the fifth or sixth most important player on the Warriors.

Next: 3. Portland Trail Blazers

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