Hassan Whiteside’s free agency decision could come as early as Friday. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the 27-year-old center will likely choose between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks.
Sources: As 12:01 AM nears, free agent Hassan Whiteside’s focus is centered on Miami and Dallas. Decision could come quickly on July 1.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 30, 2016
Whiteside is scheduled to meet with the Mavericks on July 1 when teams can officially start pitching to free agents, and Dallas will reportedly offer the max to have a chance at signing one of the most sought-after big men in free agency.
Whiteside had a breakout season for the Heat, averaging 14.2 points and 11.8 rebounds while leading the NBA in blocks (269). He also finished third in field goal percentage (60.6) behind DeAndre Jordan and Dwight Howard.
The Mavericks missed out in free agency last year when they came close to signing Jordan but failed. Whiteside would be the anchor on defense the Mavericks tried to get when they pursued Jordan.
But Whiteside could be tempted to return to Miami where he got his break, with a team that nearly made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year.
Stay tuned. We should hear something by Friday.
