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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April 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) loses the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers landing Hassan Whiteside is a move that’s growing more and more likely by the day, as they continue to ramp up their pursuit of him. There’s no doubt that they don’t want to go into next season with Dr. Hibbert getting the start under centre. They could potentially offer him the most money out of any team, and he would immediately be the best player on the team.

However, Whiteside will hardly be their only offseason target as they continue to get linked to Boogie, which is a move he would surely welcome. Their pursuit of him, coupled with this quote, could make Whiteside unsettled right from the start:

ESPN reporting Lakers are going to pursue Hassan Whiteside. In January, Whiteside told me this about free agency: pic.twitter.com/PxHEqQzEfy
— Jesse Blancarte (@JBlancarteNBA) June 25, 2016

The Lakers are a team that could be competitive in three years, but as of right now, they’re a very young team, even with Whiteside added to the mix. A big part of his successful development in Miami is being able to play under Dwyande Wade.

When Kobe was playing, he was ruining their players’ development by putting up bricks, but at least he provided a veteran presence, and was someone their prospects looked up to. Now that he’s retired, it’s very likely that recently drafted Brandon Ingram could be their best player next year.

Hassan Whiteside has room to improve, and he needs to play with people who can teach him the ropes rather than with people who will adapt on the fly. Off the court, it could get even worse as each player tries to stake their claim as the most important, which could lead to a toxic atmosphere – and one that D’Angelo Russell would capture on tape.

Each team has their own unique case for pursuing Hassan Whiteside, and it might work out better than expected. But there are also drawbacks, and after bouncing around the league so often throughout the start of his career, the best possible fit for Whiteside is with the team he’s spent the most time with and has experienced the most growth.

The Heat must settle their differences with Whiteside and find a way to re-sign him, since that will ultimately be the best fit for him.

Visit our NBA Free Agency page to stay up-to-date throughout the NBA offseason.

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