Hassan Whiteside reportedly wants to stay with Heat if money is right

Hassan Whiteside would reportedly like to stay with the Miami Heat, but he expects to be compensated for it, too.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Whiteside wants to remain in Miami “if all things are equal financially.” However, the Heat reportedly intend to offer Whiteside a deal slightly under the max with the reasoning that Florida has no state income tax and they’ll be able to offer him more significant raises down the line. If another team offers Whiteside a max contract, the big man will have a decision to make. So, too, would the Heat, given the significant hole in their roster Whiteside would leave, as well as the fact that the obvious free agent alternative, Al Horford, would require a higher max salary.

Pat Riley has said that retaining Whiteside is the team’s top offseason priority. The Heat don’t have his Bird Rights, so they’ll need to be cognizant of their cap situation as they try to get something done.