Miami Heat president Pat Riley shot down rumors of a trade between Houston or Sacramento to send off Hassan Whiteside for another player. Riley called talks about the trade "BS" and said he is satisfied with the current team's chemistry.
"I can guarantee you there have been no discussions about the BS that you have read in the newspapers the last couple of days," Riley told Miami Herald, when asked about Whiteside heading off to Houston or Sacramento. "I like our team and I want to see where we're headed."
Whiteside is one of the Heat's most recent acquisitions after he signed with the team on Nov. 24, 2014. Whiteside plays Center and averages 12.6 points, 11 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per game this season so far. He posted a career-high of 25 points versus Houston in Nov. 1, 2015 and 17 rebounds against New Orleans on Christmas day.
Riley adds that he is happy with the direction the team is going and the depth of the roster, detailing how the Heat has a good mix of veterans, middle-aged players and youth. "Probably some of our best defenders are our young players," Riley said about the Heat. "They're trying to get their offensive games to match their defensive games."
Miami Heat Sports Blog considers Whiteside as one of the best centers in the league today, and adds that the Heat will not let go of the baller that easily.
Rumours of a Whiteside trade with Houston or Sacramento started when stories of the Heat refusing to offer the player anything more than the NBA salary minimum surfaced on the Internet. Although the franchise has not yet commented on these details, the organisation's president's statement speaks as adequate proof that Whiteside will be staying in Miami.
However, Miami Heat is ready to make some trades and names that have appeared in Heat trade rumours are Dwight Howard, DeMarcus Cousins and Carmelo Anthony. The league's trade deadline is set for Feb. 2016.
