Heat Trade Rumors: Hassan Whiteside Deal to Be Explored by Miami

With the Miami Heat turning their attention toward next season after being eliminated from the playoffs on Tuesday, Hassan Whiteside will reportedly be put on the trade market.

Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat are "expected to explore a Whiteside trade" this offseason. 

Whiteside took exception to the way Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra used him this season. He told reporters on April 1 that "there are a lot of teams that can use a center" after he was unhappy with his limited playing time in the fourth quarter. 

Following Tuesday's season-ending loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Whiteside again lamented his lack of time on the court. 

"Not being out there," he said, via Jackson. "Not being out there. At least give me a chance to fight. At least give me a chance to fight. I can understand if I was playing 30 minutes and I played bad. At least give me a chance."

Whiteside missed 28 games during the regular season, and his 25.3 minutes per game marked his fewest since the 2014-15 campaign. 

The Heat signed Whiteside to a four-year deal in July 2016. The 28-year-old is scheduled to make $25.4 million next season with a $27.1 million player option for 2019-20, per Spotrac.