We should target Hassan Whiteside as the second max

Given the very obvious divorce that is going to occur between the Rockets and Dwight at the end of the year, we will have around 2 max slots to be used on targeting free agents. Our top choice for most is probably the combination of Durant and Horford. However, given relative age, and whether or not we get Durant (and particularly if we don't get Horford), I would almost prefer chasing Whiteside in free agency. He is clearly getting a max this summer, and is probably the defensive, rebounding, blocking machine we hope Dwight still is, except he is still young. We could then go over the cap to match DMO, who would be a good fit next to Whiteside I think.

I would prefer we go after him as soon as possible so that Miami doesn't have the ability to reach a deal with Dwayne Wade in time to free up cap space. Assuming we're reserving a slot for Durant, what would it take to free up cap space for Whiteside, and can someone outline the challenges that Miami has in signing him? I'm starting to read articles where they could resign him to the max as long as they get Wade on board relatively quickly for under $20MM (although they would lose a player like Deng and possibly Joe Johnson). Can someone help with the cap space math (paging Bima!). I tried to bump the Bima thread but couldn't find it.

I don't think we'll get Conley, and frankly I'd prefer Whiteside.

 

We would be keeping Beasley bc we have him for next year at 1.4M. Also, I would prefer to keep Trevor and instead trade Brewer + (hopefully) small asset to get cap space. Given that so many teams will have cap space, the cost of buying cap space should be smaller next year. If we can carve up space for bringing Llull over, that would be ideal. So rotation wise:

Bev/LLull/Goudelock
Harden
Durant/Ariza/KJ
DMo/Beasley/Durant/Ariza
Whiteside/Capela

Use MLE for SG or another big and shooters who actually can shoot. There's a lot of flexibility with that team. With a good defensive minded coach, that team could defend and play good offense.

 

White his rebounding and shotblocking and the 30% increase in the cap followed by another similar increase the following year, he is definitely getting the max (and worth it). I've read that is around $22M. I believe Durant's is around $26M?

I don't want Wade to take a paycut either, but he's not getting $30M next year - that would be Kobesque to the Heat's cap situation.

As for Miami, I believe that taking into account salaries for Bosh, Dragic, McRoberts, Winslow and Richardson, and cap holds, Miami would have about $40MM in cap space. If they could trade McRoberts (asset included), they could be up to $46MM I think. If they traded Dragic, they would have plenty (not sure they want to do that). If they're not traded, then Miami has about $40MM to spread around to Wade, Whiteside, Deng and Johnson. If Whiteside gets $22M, then they have $18MM left for the other 3. They'd have to give up Deng and Johnson and talk Wade into accepting around $16-20M, depending on what other trades they can do to free up space. Is my thinking correct? I think Wade would do that neighborhood, if he could get more years. They could trade Deng for assets and cap space too. I'd rather do that if I were Miami then let Whiteside leave.

 

The spurs would take him if they could afford him and turn him into a spurs citizen and rule the NBA if they took him. If Durant and Harden were on the team, I think he would fall in line. And if not, I'm sure you could trade him. I just think we need a good defensive big. It would allow us to play Beasely more at the 4 too when you have someone covering up for others.

 

I'm not sure I buy Beal. I am not convinced of his defense (maybe I'm wrong), and he and Wall together still can't seem to do much with the Wiz in the east.