#5: Hassan Whiteside
Hassan Whiteside told Erik Gunderson of the Miami Herald “Portland was my seconded option… I would have come here (Portland)”. This summer when Whiteside chose to resign with the Heat, I doubt that he would have been okay with being a part of a rebuild. The heat are 10-20. Hassan Whiteside is averaging 18.1 points and grabbing 14.8 rebounds. He scores off pick and rolls,and lob passes. He is a defensive anchor . The Blazers are lacking in all the aspects that Whiteside would bring. I know he signed a large deal with the Heat, but It appears the Heat are blowing this team up and Whiteside probably won’t want to be a part of it. The Blazers could look to trade Plumlee with his expiring deal, Noah Vonleh, Crabbe/Harkless and a first round pick for Hassan Whiteside and Wayne Ellington.