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Whiteside, 27, averaged a league-leading 3.7 blocks in the
2015-16 season and is a "primary target" for the Lakers as they
address their rim protection and perimeter shooting needs, per
ESPN.
Whiteside isn't ruling out re-signing with Miami, but hopes to
make a decision by the first day of free agency, which begins at
12:01 a.m. on July 1.
"I didn't say (Miami) wasn't the best situation, but we're going
to see what happens," Whiteside told ESPN.com. "It's not like
I'm really counting the Heat out or counting on another team.
It's just open."
Whiteside, who is likely to command a max contract worth nearly
$95 million over four years, is also drawing interest from the
Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers.
The seven-footer averaged career highs in points (14.2) and
rebounds (11.8) on 60.6 percent shooting in 73 games last
season, his fourth in the league.
He began his career in Sacramento, but played only 19 games for
the Kings. The 33rd overall pick in the 2010 draft was out of
the league in 2012-13 and 2013-14 before signing with the Heat
in 2014.
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