Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2016: 5 targets for Spurs

By Brad Weiss

SAN ANTONIO,TX - MAY 10: Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during game against the Oklahoma City in game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT
SAN ANTONIO,TX - MAY 10: Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during game against the Oklahoma City in game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at AT /
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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
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 /

110. . Center. Miami Heat. Hassan Whiteside. 2. player

Defense. Defense. Defense.

Hassan Whiteside can flat out play defense, and if the Spurs can sign him, he will join a team that already has some elite defenders. Whiteside finished third in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year vote, a title won by current San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard.

Adding Whiteside to the fold would be just downright scary considering Spurs guard Danny Green is an elite defender as well. LaMarcus Aldridge is known as more of a scorer, so the addition of Whiteside would offset his weaknesses on defense.

Whiteside is going to ask for max money, and the Heat will want to sign him for less than that. He is only 27-years old, and he is already one of the better defenders in the league. The young center recently spoke about his impending free agency, and his statement sounds like he could be headed to San Antonio.

“I want to go to a team that’s about winning,” Whiteside told Jesse Blancarte of Basketball Insiders. “[A team] that has a good understanding of what it takes to win and a good city with a good fan base.”

Sounds like Whiteside wants to go to San Antonio.

Next: 1. Kevin Durant

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