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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May 9, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) grabs a rebound over Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Portland Trail Blazers

ESPN reported that Portland has joined the mix of teams interested in Hassan Whiteside’s services, although the Lakers are still very much the frontrunner. Signing Whiteside would likely send Mason Plumlee to the bench, which is the role he had in Brooklyn.

However, some of the comments he’s made in the past about playing at the Staples Centre and Madison Square Garden has already rubbed some fans the wrong way.

Whiteside on Lakers in March, "I feel like [Madison Square] Garden and the Staples Center are like the two biggest places to play . . . "
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) June 25, 2016

" . . . I feel like those places are just special just because there are so many celebrities and everybody is there."
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) June 25, 2016

Hearing a 26-year-old talking about playing in front of celebrities is not something that a team in a small market, yet is doing the right things, wants to hear. Hassan Whiteside has only had two full seasons of playing in the NBA under his belt, yet he’s already regarded as a premier rim protector. The talent is clearly there, but he still has a lot to learn if he doesn’t want to flame out. And in order to do so, he must be placed in a conducive environment.

He enjoys Miami because he gets to live on South Beach, but they’re a team that’s a few moves away from competing for a championship, while Whiteside has Dwyane Wade to serve as a mentor to him. C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard can provide that same mentorship role, but he won’t enjoy living in Portland.

Miami and Portland aren’t that far away in terms of competing, but they already had a free agent in LaMarcus Aldridge leave because he became unsettled with his role, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Whiteside did the same – at least as long as Lillard remains the guy there.

Next: 2. New York Knicks

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