Despite the imminent rumors regarding star center Hassan Whiteside's displeasure with his role within the team, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized the organization's commitment to its $98 million investment, noting matters would be resolved.
“This is one of those periods that we know how to manage and help players get through,” Spoelstra said during his exit interview press conference, according to ESPN. “And when you get through it, there's tremendous growth opportunity on the other side of that.”
“We are still here 100 percent to serve and help Hassan reach his dreams.”
Whiteside had grown frustrated with his diminishing role, going from the indisputable lock a the center position to fluttering minutes at the position, with Kelly Olynyk and rookie Bam Adebayo seeing the bulk of playing time during the end of the season and the postseason.
Miami's first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers showed Spoelstra's comfort with a more well-rounded tandem of Olynyk and Adebayo. President Pat Riley noted he would have benched the star as well by the way he was playing, claiming he wasn't 100 percent fit to take the floor, hence his limited minutes.
Riley offered to mediate between Spoelstra and Whiteside to iron out their differences, claiming he would be looking to add to the roster, not subtract going into next season.
Whiteside will enter the third season of a four-year deal in 2018-19, slated to make a beefy $25.4 milion, slated to have a player-option the following season, in which he could make $27.1 million.
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