The Miami Heat are in the midst of once again building a super team. However, the injuries of Chris Bosh had been huge roadblocks for the Dwyane Wade squad. Without LeBron James, the Miami Heat are expected to scour the free agent market for new stars to carry the group. With Hassan Whiteside locked in earlier this week, Pat Riley is said to be aggressively fighting to win the Kevin Durant free agency battle. Hence, the Miami Heat big three could soon feature Hassan Whiteside, Dwyane Wade and Kevin Durant.
Chris Bosh saw his season end when his past injuries resurfaced weeks before the NBA playoffs 2016.Even after he claimed to be capable of going back to the hardwood court, the Miami Heat front office declined his offer to return. While the 2015-16 NBA season was a frustrating one for Bosh, it looks like Hassan Whiteside took full advantage of his increased minutes in the hardwood court.
Although the competition was tough for the Miami Heat to compete with the likes of the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks during the Hassan Whiteside free agency campaign period, the Dwyane Wade team still came out victorious. In his latest announcement, the Miami Heat center shared that he opted to stay with the team instead of heading to other NBA squads that offered him good money.
said Whiteside in his announcement. He then revealed, "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. #HeatNation"
This came as a welcome surprise for the Miami Heat fans especially since Pat Riley is said to be aggressively campaigning to get Kevin Durant. With a massive contract offered to Whiteside, a number of supporters wonder how the NBA team plans to meet the salary cap limit. Although no confirmation has been given, rumors are rife that the Miami Heat intends to displace Chris Bosh from the salary roll to make way for a lucrative deal with KD.
here was a dinner with Pat Riley. Miami didn't really have cap space for him but Pat was able to get in there because he's Pat Riley," shared Ryan McDonough in a podcast by The Vertical, recalling the LaMarcus Aldridge free agency season last summer. The Phoenix Suns general manager added, "He was talking about sacrificing among great players and winning a championship. He talked about what Chris Bosh did in Miami and I think he was really trying to line LaMarcus up for this summer."
This kind of style - the Pat Riley trademark - has been known across the NBA. This makes the Miami Heat a strong contender for the Kevin Durant free agency campaign. WhileChris Bosh was a remarkable player for the team, it looks like his time is up and new guys are eyed to take over.
What do you think? Will a teamup of Kevin Durant and Hassan Whiteside unseat the Cleveland Cavaliers? Will LeBron James finally be proven wrong when his fans felt that the Miami Heat could never win a championship without him?
