National Basketball Association

Riley says Whiteside will be top Heat summer priority

Published May. 18, 2016 6:29 p.m. ET

foxsports

MIAMI (AP) Hassan Whiteside is going to get a huge contract from someone this summer, and the Miami Heat want it to be from them.

Heat President Pat Riley says that Whiteside will be the team's top priority in free agency, noting Wednesday that the center will be contacted by the team at 12:01 a.m. on July 1. That's the symbolic start to the free-agent shopping window this summer.

Riley says Whiteside's upside cannot be ignored. Whiteside averaged 14.2 points and was the NBA's blocked-shot leader this season.

Riley also says the Heat remain committed to working with Chris Bosh and finding a way for Miami's highest-paid player to get back on the floor. Bosh's last two seasons have ended at the All-Star break, both times because blood clots were found.