NBA Rumors: Hottest Buzz Regarding Hassan Whiteside, Dragan Bender and More
With so many teams watching the NBA Finals from home, the Association continues to charge ahead toward one of its most popular periods.
Said period is rumor season, where every team has a positive outlook and countless ways to improve the roster and take a step toward title contention next year. Whether it's trades or free agency or the draft, even teams without a pick—such as the New York Knicks—can find a way to get in the conversation.
It's why folks hear about rebuilding squads such as the Knicks, major prospects such as Dragan Bender and even hot upcoming free agents, this time led by Hassan Whiteside.
Below, let's take a look at the hottest rumblings making the rounds so people have an easy time keeping up with the quickest-changing period of the year.
The Bismack Biyombo Market
Most wrote off the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers with Jonas Valanciunas hurt.
Toronto managed to take it to six games, though, in large part thanks to the emergence of 2011 first-round pick Bismack Biyombo, a 23-year-old defensive enforcer who before the promotion was nothing more than an energy guy off the bench.
After averaging 5.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 22 minutes per game during the regular season, Biyombo suited up for an average of 31.3 minutes against the Cavaliers and managed 6.3, 10.3 and 1.8 in those same categories, respectively. Over two Toronto wins, he pulled down 40 total rebounds.
Toronto would obviously like to keep Biyombo around, but it's also safe to say the rest of the league saw the performance, and interest has hit a new high.
It's why Sportsnet.ca hears the Raptors might have a hard time keeping the big man around: "Toronto might very well lose Bismack Biyombo, who I’m hearing could be the first contract signed this summer that really surprises people."
This figures to come down to cash. Toronto doesn't have the most dough to offer because it's going into an offseason where keeping DeMar DeRozan in town looks like the top priority. This opens a window for someone to come in and steal Biyombo for the right price.
According to Andrew Walker of Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Biyombo is open to reducing his asking price if it means staying with the Raptors. Only the market opening will reveal if he keeps that stance when the offers begin to flow.
Dragan Bender's Upcoming Trip
An international sensation with an NBA-ready game thanks to versatility, Bender doesn't seem like a guy who needs to visit a ton of teams before the NBA draft.
The 18-year-old seems to know this, too.
According to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, Bender has a few teams in mind for his brief round of visits:
Only one team gets a mention above, but it's a notable one—the Boston Celtics.
Boston owns the No. 3 pick, and barring a minor miracle, it won't get a shot at a more preferable prospect such as Brandon Ingram or Ben Simmons. If president Danny Ainge cannot strike a deal to move out of the slot, Bender seems like the most valuable player on the board, especially given Boston's roster needs.
At 7'1" and 216 pounds with an ability to play three different spots and shoot the ball from range, Bender is just what Boston desires. Isaiah Thomas and a handful of others already lead a backcourt that surged the franchise to the postseason, but play from underneath the basket has underwhelmed.
Bender could help fix the issue, though it's hard to know how his smaller frame will fit into the NBA right away. Still, Boston is a team with an excess of picks this year, so No. 3 doesn't necessarily have to be a guy who can play a starting role.
This scenario presumes much, too. Boston has to pull the trigger on Bender if it stays at the pick, and Bender has to not woo other franchises too much during his other visits, which could entice one of the top two teams—if not another—to trade up.
Long story short, it's just another nugget about the draft's most interesting prospect.
Miami's Approach to Hassan Whiteside
Few players set to hit the market could have a bigger impact on a franchise than Whiteside.
It's not hard to see why: Whiteside is all of 26 years old but coming off a season in which he averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game on less than an average of 30 minutes per night.
Granted, Whiteside comes with issues, most notably the fact he floundered in Sacramento for two years before joining the Heat and exploding. He only suited up for 48 games last year before this year's outbreak.
But the NBA market doesn't concern itself with such factors too much when it comes to slinging cash around, especially with new television money on the way.
It's good news, then, that Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears Whiteside wants to stick with the organization: "My understanding, reiterated in recent days, is if all things are equal financially, Whiteside wants to re-sign with Miami. He likes living here and likes the organization."
Miami has done itself a bit of a disservice from a cash standpoint by needing to keep Dwyane Wade happy while also balancing tricky contracts owned by Goran Dragic, Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh.
It's a fluid situation, to say the least, which is why Jackson mentioned the organization would prefer if Whiteside signed a deal for less than the max.
Like other free agents, Whiteside will need to hear what the market says before agreeing to any sort of discount. Regardless, Miami can breathe a bit easier with the understanding its new star center might do what it takes to stick with the team.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
