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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Summary
Whiteside is a polarizing player, especially among more casual NBA fans. Whiteside can often put up big stats - scoring, hauling in rebounds, and collecting blocks - but his impact on winning often has not seemed to match his box score stats. Whiteside has never been a disciplined defender, often giving up putbacks or biting on pump fakes in order to chase blocks.
On offense, he is a black hole in that his passing is almost non-existent. Whiteside's teams have often played better with him off the court, and this caused him to finish many games on the bench. However, Whiteside can still be a dominant force inside at times, using his size and touch to get buckets.
Cap Considerations
Whiteside will be an unrestricted free agent with full Bird rights. As his cap hold ($35.1 million) greatly exceeds the salary he will get in free agency, his cap hold is not really relevant. If the Trailblazers re-sign Whiteside, his cap hold will be replaced by his starting salary, and the Trailblazers may still have some cap space available depending on his salary and what happens with their other free agents.
If Whiteside demands a starting salary of more than the full $9.3 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, only teams with cap space will be able to sign him. Otherwise, over-the-cap teams could potentially use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or Room Mid-Level Exceptions to sign him. If Whiteside and an over-the-cap team have mutual interest, sign-and-trade options can be explored.
Potential Teams: Hornets, Wizards, Raptors, Trailblazers, Warriors
Predicted Contract: 2-year, $12 million (2nd year player option) with the Hornets.
Actual Contract: 1-year, $2.2 million ($1.6 million cap hit) with the Kings.
Whiteside ended up settling for the minimum with the Kings, providing further evidence to the theory that decent backup bigs can be found for cheap.
Last updated: 12/31/2020
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