Report: Mavs are front-runners for Hassan Whiteside; Heat lost ground
Dallas might land a big-name free agent center, after all
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1 min read
The Dallas Mavericks are the favorites to land center Hassan Whiteside in free agency, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski:
Sources on @TheVertical. Dallas Mavericks emerging as a frontrunner for Miami free agent center Hassan Whiteside. Heat's lost ground on him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) July 1, 2016
A few thoughts:
- It's hilarious that the Miami Heat have "lost ground" in the chase for Whiteside before it is even allowed to officially begin. Free agents are allowed to talk to teams starting at midnight on July 1, so the league cannot be happy about reports like this.
- Let's remember the DeAndre Jordan fiasco of last summer before declaring that the Mavericks have found their new franchise center. There is plenty of time for this to go sideways.
- If Dallas does get Whiteside, it would be an extremely interesting partnership. The Mavericks have historically gotten the most out of centers who can protect the paint and finish alley-oops -- it's not just Tyson Chandler, remember how effective Brandan Wright was there? -- but I wonder how much patience coach Rick Carlisle will have for Whiteside chasing blocks at the expense of his team's defensive schemes.
- If Whiteside curbs that habit, then he could be one of the best centers on the league at both ends. Aside from outside shooting, he has just about every tool that teams want out of modern centers. This would be a massive signing for the Mavs, and it might help them attract other free agents. They are reportedly chasing Mike Conley, by the way.
