LAS VEGAS _ The departure won't be official until his trade to the Portland Trail Blazers is confirmed Saturday by the NBA following the close of the league's personnel moratorium, but Hassan Whiteside has recognized it is closing time.
Two days after an agreement was reached to deal the shot-blocking center in a cap-reduction move, Whiteside took to Instagram to offer final thoughts on a five-season tenure that saw him explode on the South Florida scene, earn a four-year, $98 million contract, and then find himself reduced to a reserve role.
"It has been an amazing 5 years!" Whiteside posted. "I am grateful for the experience and opportunity that the @MiamiHeat Organization provided me with. Big thanks to City of Miami and the amazing fans for making this stop in my Journey worthwhile.
"Lastly to my teammates, I cannot thank you all enough. It's been a great run and I wish everyone that suited up with me in a Miami Heat uniform the best of luck in your careers and in life."
Whiteside was dealt for forwards Meyers Leonard and Maurice Harkless, with Harkless then rerouted to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the salary-cap machinations for the Heat to complete their sign-and-trade agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers for free-agent guard Jimmy Butler.
Whiteside essentially was on borrowed time with the Heat, with his contract to expire after the upcoming season and the Heat prioritizing that cap space for roster renovation.
Whiteside was replaced as the Heat's starting center last season with coach Erik Spoelstra's shift to Bam Adebayo, a plan that is expected to again be in place this coming season.
The Heat are not permitted to comment on the trade, or the players involved, until it is certified by the NBA following the league's annual accounting period.
The trade of Whiteside leaves Adebayo as the lone true center on the Heat roster, although Leonard and Kelly Olynyk also are capable of minutes at the position. Another option in the power rotation could be veteran Udonis Haslem, who is mulling a return for a 17th season with the team.
