Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

I'm probably late to this party, but is there a reason that whiteside would leave Miami. I remember reading somewhere a while back that they don't have a financial advantage (no full bird rights) and that they might run into problems paying everyone, but the latter seems doubtful given the cap rise. also, pat riley has cheated and will cheat again. I could see him signing wade for cheap this year only to let him opt out and re-sign for a bigger deal next year. and the league looking the other way.

 

don't see why Durant joins them if it costs whiteside. and again, I can't stress this enough: pat riley is a cheater. he has clearly cheated the cap on more than one occasion. I wouldn't put anything past him.

now, maybe I could see them letting whiteside go in favor of howard, but if they did that, you'd have to wonder whether you wanted whiteside.

 

Whiteside is playing like a top five maybe top three center right now. If Miami lets him go for an over the hill Dwight then they're fools. I think the big selling point for us other than just the obvious being money and being the man (at least till D'Angelo develops) is the young core. It's a great fit for him. He'll get to play with a team that is gonna be a terror out on the fast break. He'll be getting lobs for days. He'll probably be playing 35 minutes a night. The Heat have a good solid team, but they can't beat San Antonio or Golden State and unless they get Durant that won't change.

 

If Lakers get Whiteside, it would be a nice match up between him and deandre Jordan 4 times a year

 

I hope we bring Bazemore back.

As for Whiteside he burst onto the scene last year and this season he's elevated and sustained a high level of play over the course of an entire season. It's a no brainer. He's a perfect fit with the young core. He gives us a more mobile, more athletic presence inside on both ends. He's clearly worked on his offensive game as well. He's not just scoring on put backs and lobs.

 

Although I would love to have Whiteside here, it wouldn't be too disappointing if we didn't get him. We need to have a Plan B, which hasn't occurred in the past few summers.

I think a player that could do about 80% of Whiteside does in addition to costing half as much would be Bismack Biyombo. All the things real posted (about convincing Whiteside to come here) also applies to Biyombo. He's put up great numbers this year when Valanciunas has been out. Still bothers me that we didn't try to get him last summer and got Hibbert instead...

 

Buyumbo isn't anywhere near as good the finisher or the overall offensive player that Whiteside is in. That's a big part when you're talking about running screen and roll with JC and D-LO.

 

Just curious, I recall Xavier Henry got a shot with some decent team at the start of this season, or their D-League team. Anyone know how he did? Does he still maybe have a career in the league or was he one of the ones that achilles injury got the best of him?

 

That's true, but if we got Biyombo, we could also get another good role player. Biyombo's also 23, so he has time to improve on offense.

 

letting bazemore go was such a stupid move

i'd like to see him back

 

I think at his likely asking price, I'd probably take a pass. but yes, not signing him to a tiny deal a couple years ago looks a bit silly now.

 

If Riley manages to keep Whiteside, we'll have to find a rotation of players to platoon at the 5 next season. Ding mentioned Noah as possibility; @trodgers mentioned Bismack last season, and he was right on point; he's had a good season. There's others...it doesn't mean I wouldn't go after Whiteside, but I think the possibility that Miami retains him is getting likely during his play post All-Star break.