Hassan Whiteside Discusses Durant's Near Move to Heat

Former NBA center Hassan Whiteside revealed during a podcast that he was willing to take a pay cut to lure Kevin Durant to the Miami Heat after LeBron James left in 2014. Whiteside envisioned a powerful lineup featuring Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and himself alongside Durant, stating, 'I told Pat [Riley], if KD comes, I’ll take less money.' However, Udonis Haslem noted that the pressure on Durant to match James' legacy could have made the situation difficult for him. Ultimately, Durant chose to sign with the Golden State Warriors, a decision that has led to ongoing speculation about what could have been for the Heat. The missed opportunity emphasizes the 'what if' scenario in NBA history and how it could have reshaped the team's trajectory. Fans are left to ponder how different the landscape of the Eastern Conference might have been had Durant joined Miami.