During a recent appearance on The OGs, former Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside shared an intriguing story from his time with the team, revealing that he tried to lure superstar Kevin Durant to Miami in 2016.
Whiteside revealed he offered to take a pay cut to free up salary cap space for Durant, with the vision of assembling a formidable roster alongside the likes of Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and himself.
Whiteside, who played for the Heat from 2014-19, was a major presence on the team, posting impressive stats including averaging 14.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Despite his departure, Whiteside’s impact during his tenure as a member of the Miami Heat roster was undeniable.
“I told Pat [Riley]“I said if KD came in, I would take less money. It was more about winning. We would have Goran, D-Wade, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh, and then me at the five… That’s what I’m here for,” Whiteside said during the podcast.
Had Durant joined the Heat, the team would have undoubtedly emerged as a formidable force in the league, with the potential to compete with established elite teams like the Warriors, Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers. Alongside Dragic, Wade, Bosh and Whiteside, Durant’s arrival would have significantly boosted the Heat’s championship prospects, cementing their position as a dominant contender in the Eastern Conference.
However, despite Whiteside’s efforts and the lure of joining a star-studded team, Durant ultimately opted to sign with the Golden State Warriors in 2016. According to Heat veteran Udonis Haslem, the timing wasn’t ideal for the franchise, which was still dealing with the aftermath of LeBron James’ departure in 2014.
Haslem said the pressure on Durant to fill the void left by James could have been overwhelming, potentially overshadowing his individual contributions and impacting team dynamics.
Ultimately, Durant’s decision to join the Warriors proved to be a transformative chapter in his career, leading to two championship titles and back-to-back Finals MVP honors in 2017 and 2018. While the decision sparked debate over his legacy, Durant’s accomplishments with the Warriors underscored his status as a proven winner in the league.
Reflecting on that missed opportunity, Durant, now a member of the Suns, expressed satisfaction with how things turned out, noting that he has no regrets about the outcome. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat, backed by talents such as Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, continue to contend for the title, with Durant’s potential impact serving as a “what if” scenario.
Also read: Kevin Durant Opens Up About Recent Social Media Disagreement With Fan: ‘It Depends on How I Feel’
