Former Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside sent the internet into a tizzy Tuesday when he admitted a possibility that never happened.
In 2016, the Heat signed Whiteside to a four-year, $96 million contract in the offseason. Speaking on the OGs Podcast with Udonis Haslem and Mike MillerWhiteside said he told team president Pat Riley he would accept a smaller contract so they could sign Kevin Durant.
“I told Pat [Riley]”I said, ‘If KD comes, I’ll take less money,'” Whiteside said. “It was more about winning. We’d have Goran, D-Wade, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh and then me at the five.”
This would have given the Heat a starting five of Whiteside, Goran Dragic, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Durant at the start of the season. This never happened as Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors that same summer.
But would it have worked if it had been done? Probably not.
Mid-season, Bosh was diagnosed with a second blood clot that ultimately ended his career. Even with Durant at the top of his game, it would have been difficult for the remaining core to keep up with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs were still in great shape with a young Kevin Love and an even younger Kyrie Irving.
The only benefit that could have come from this situation would have been if Wade had played his entire career with the Heat instead of joining the Chicago Bulls and Cavaliers.
Shandel Richardson is the editor of Miami Heat On SI. You can contact him at [email protected]
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