Veteran big-man Hassan Whiteside is returning to where his NBA career started. According to James Ham of NBC Sports California, Whiteside agreed to re-join the Sacramento Kings for the 2020/21 NBA season and ink a veteran’s minimum deal with the organization.
Whiteside, who last suited up for Kings eight years ago, returns after a solid 2019/20 season with Portland Trail Blazers. The 31-year-old put up 15.5 points per game while also averaging 13.5 rebounds and league-leading 2.9 blocks.
Kings drafted Hassan Whiteside in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft, but the injuries and lack of opportunity limited him to just 18 games in his first two years with the organization. Kings ultimately decided there is no place for Whiteside on their roster and released him following the 2011/12 season.
Whiteside spent the next several years out of the league, playing in Asia before Miami Heat gave him an opportunity to return to NBA. He managed to resurrect his career in Miami and was the team’s starting center for five seasons before being traded to Portland in the summer of 2019 as part of the salary-cap relief move.
Whiteside’s NBA career averages include 13.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.
