Hassan Whiteside Could Be On Verge Of Joining New Team

It's hard to figure how an All-Defensive player who has led the NBA twice in blocked shots, as recently as 2020, and has averaged a double-double in his 10-year career (12.6 points, 10.8 rebounds) can't get a sniff of a job from an NBA team. But that's the case with center Hassan Whiteside. And it now appears he may be taking his talents to Israel. 

Hassan Whiteside has drawn interest from Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv, per @HoopsRumors pic.twitter.com/vKwilEl4LJ

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 25, 2023

Hapoel Tel Aviv is currently in talks with the 7-footer, who last appeared in the NBA in the 2021-22 season with the Utah Jazz. Playing less than 18 minutes off the bench that year, he still averaged 8.2 points and 1.6 blocks. For his career, he averages 2.2 blocks per game, or 3.3 per 36 minutes. 

Some say the modern NBA, which doesn't reward big men who can't shoot from distance is the reason he's been shunned, while others pin more of the blame on Whiteside's attitude and sometimes lackadaisical play. 

After no team came calling after the 2022 season, Whiteside signed in Puerto Rico in March of this year. Now, if he's able to work out a deal with the interested side in Israel, the 34-year-old will continue his career there. 

Whiteside's best NBA years were in South Beach, where he spent five seasons, including 2016-17 when he averaged 17 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks.  

Photo: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports