Hassan Whiteside
Nov 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Heat centre Hassan Whiteside (21) looses control of the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 101-94. USA TODAY Sports / Bill Streicher

The Miami Heat (11-29) are not looking to trade Hassan Whiteside contrary to earlier reports that Pat Riley & Co. could shop the all-star centre ahead of February's deadline.

Last week, ESPN insider Zach Lowe set the rumour bill ablaze when he reported on the Lowe Post podcast that the Heat are not opposed to the idea of trading the entire roster, including Whiteside. "I think the Heat are open for business. Up and down the roster, literally every player. No one is untouchable, not even Hassan Whiteside, by a longshot."

Since the Heat have managed to win only 11 games thus far, several analysts are predicting wholesale changes to their roster ahead of the 2017-18 season. However, a Miami Heat spokesperson recently told the Miami Herald and several other local publications that the team had no intention "to trade it’s $98 million (AU$131 million) centre."

Hassan Whiteside not paying attention to rumour mill

Ahead of Tuesday's game against the Golden State Warriors, Whiteside, who became the first player in league history to go from a minimum to a maximum contract this past offseason, said he wasn't paying any attention to the trade rumours. “I never really pay attention to (trade rumours). If I pay attention to it I wouldn’t be back in the league. There’s all kinds of rumours. A lot of people said a lot of things so I wouldn’t get back in the league. So, I don’t pay it no mind.”

Prior to the season, the Heat were expected to build around the young core of Whiteside, Justise Winslow, Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson. However, three months into the season, it seems like Miami is still identifying the players that will usher in the post-Dwyane Wade era. While Winslow has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, the likes of Johnson and Richardson haven't taken the strides they were expected to.

Whiteside, who leads the NBA in rebounds (14.4), trusts the Heat front office and expects Riley & Co. to add star-level talent in free agency later this year. “These guys care about winning and losing. I knew it was going to be a big change when we’ve got nine new guys coming to the team. It’s a whole new team. Those guys they care about winning. It could always be worse.

“I just try to come out here and do the most I can for whatever that is – to try to affect the team in a positive way," added Whiteside, who is viewed as one of the best rim protectors in the league.

Hassan Whiteside is averaging a career-high tally of 17.5 points, 14.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.

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