Hassan whitsead staying with the Miami Heat.
A source familiar with the terms of the agreement told The Associated Press that Whiteside will sign a four-year contract worth roughly $98 million — the maximum amount the Heat could offer. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be finalized and signed before July 7.
Whiteside, 27, made his announcement Friday on Snapchat and through a post on The Players’ Tribune a few hours after he met with the Heat and the Dallas Mavericks in New York to hear their sales pitches. He went into those meetings leaning toward the Heat, and he apparently emerged even more convinced that staying with the franchise that helped him resuscitate his career was the best move.
“I’ve played on eight teams since college — from Reno to Sioux Falls to Sichuan, China,” Whiteside wrote on Players Tribune. “I am not ready for there to be a ninth. I have decided to re-sign with Miami. I just wanted to take this time to tell all the fans how much you mean to this team, and to me. Can’t wait to get back to work and try to bring another championship to Miami.”
‘ve played on eight teams since college — from Reno to Sioux Falls to Sichuan, China,” Whiteside wrote on Players Tribune. “I am not ready for there to be a ninth. I have decided to re-sign with Miami. I just wanted to take this time to tell all the fans how much you mean to this team, and to me. Can’t wait to get back to work and try to bring another championship to Miami.”
Hassan Whiteside averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks during the 2015-16 regular season. Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
A maximum contract gives Whiteside a life-changing amount of money after a breakout season. He will be signing a deal worth roughly 100 times more than what he made this past season, when he averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and a league-best 3.7 blocks per game. His unique career has taken him to leagues in Lebanon and China, and he has also had stints in the NBA Development League — even getting cut from teams at that level.
The Heat signed Whiteside in November 2014. Less than two years later, he has become one of the game’s most dominant centers — and one of the highest-paid players in franchise history.
The salary cap has jumped significantly, but the Heat also see potential in Whiteside. His accomplishments this past season left such an impression on Heat President Pat Riley that the nine-time NBA champion entered the summer stating publicly that keeping Whiteside was Miami’s No. 1
