Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2019: 6 biggest player option decisions

By Bryan Toporek

The Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside (21) goes up against the Boston Celtics' Al Horford (42) in the first quarter at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside (21) goes up against the Boston Celtics' Al Horford (42) in the first quarter at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Miami Heat
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 10: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Arena on January 10, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

4. Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat

2019-20 option: $27.1 million

Is Hassan Whiteside fed up enough with his role in Miami to turn down $27.1 million?

“I’m definitely going to weigh my options,” Whiteside told reporters after the Heat’s final regular-season game in mid-April. “It’s definitely a decision I got to make and do the best for me. I feel like if I’m playing, I’m going to produce so it will take care of itself.”

That phrasing may be telling, as Whiteside has long bristled with his lack of minutes. He started his first 53 games this past year and appeared to reach an early-season détente with head coach Erik Spoelstra, but he then lost his starting gig to second-year big man Bam Adebayo and came off the bench for his final 19 appearances.

“I don’t think I’m a 20-minute guy,” Whiteside said at the end of the season. “I average what, 20 minutes? So I think I can play more and I can do more. So I definitely think what I bring to the game is at a high level for my position. You know, I led the league in categories that you would want a big man to lead the league in. I feel like I can keep doing that.”

Between questions about his attitude and ability to stay on the floor in the playoffs, Whiteside will unquestionably take a pay cut in 2019-20 if he opts out. Although he repeatedly points to his per-36-minute numbers as proof that he’d be among the league’s best big men in a bigger role, it isn’t as though Spoelstra was attempting to tank by moving Adebayo ahead of him in the rotation.

While Whiteside may be frustrated with his current situation in Miami, sulking on the bench for one more season while collecting $27 million might be his best bet. Barring a desperation-fueled overpay, he might struggle to find an eight-figure annual salary on the free-agent market.

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