NBA Rumors: Hassan Whiteside to sign max contract with Heat

Hassan Whiteside has agreed to a max contract to stay with the Miami Heat. 

Hassan Whiteside and the Miami Heat have agreed to a max contract that pays him around $98 million over four years, according to Yahoo Sports. Whiteside is the first player in NBA history to go from making the league minimum one year to the max the next year.

Rumors swirled about the Mavericks emerging as the front-runners to land Whiteside but the Heat came out on top in the end. This is not uncommon ground for the Mavs who lost big man DeAndre Jordan during last year’s free agency after receiving a verbal agreement.

Whiteside averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game last season. Despite only having two years of NBA experience, the 27-year-old has found himself as one of the best big men in the league.

He was drafted in the second round by the Sacramento Kings in 2010 where he spent most of his time in the D-League. Whiteside played in China and Lebanon before getting a second chance in Miami.

The Heat re-signing Whiteside gives them a young talent to build their team around. He is one of the premier rim defenders in the game and has a good offensive game as well. If healthy, Whiteside could be the best center in the NBA in no time.

Whiteside suffered an MCL sprain that made him miss some time in the playoffs but is expected to be fully healed by the start of the upcoming season.

With Whiteside now re-signed, the Heat need to focus on bringing back Dwyane Wade and hoping Chris Bosh can return to full health so Miami can contend for a title once again.

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