Hassan Whiteside, who played center for the Miami Heat, will become a free agent this coming July, and according to a report from the Miami Herald, it is possible that the L.A. Lakers may be doing their best to pry him away. However, the report also points out that Whiteside might be sticking with Miami despite this.
According to the report, Whiteside wants to re-sign with the Miami Heat not only because he likes playing for the organization but because he also likes living in the Miami area. It is also pointed out that Miami may be willing to price-match whatever offer the Lakers or any other team offer Whiteside but will not pay the max.
In a report from Lakers Nation, it is pointed out that the Miami Heat may not want to pay the cap to keep Whiteside because they will need some extra cash and space to further upgrade their roster by adding at least one more superstar to the team.
If this is true then it is likely Miami will offer a lot of money and incentives to Whiteside but not the absolute maximum of what he can get. Whiteside may still agree to this, given he already has plans of staying, and this will give Miami the remaining funds and team space to recruit yet another player to add to the team.
However, it is noted that the Lakers may still get a chance of getting Whiteside once free agency begins in July if they are capable of offering a better deal. It is speculated by many that the Lakers will do everything they can and spend as much as possible in order to fill the void left behind by the now-retired Kobe Bryant.
Despite the claims, Whiteside still has to make a formal decision and this will only occur after he has properly had a chance to sit down with the different teams and look over the offers that they give him.
