Whiteside finished his transformation from pauper to prince in 2015-16, coming through with a spectacular first full season in the NBA to earn a four-year, $98 million contract with the Heat in July. It concluded a stunning rise for Whiteside, a former second-round pick who the Heat plucked from the D-League in December 2014 and watched him blossom into the NBA’s top shot blocker. While maturity issues had delayed Whiteside in getting established in the NBA and were somewhat evident during his rise to prominence in 2014-15, the center was more of a model citizen last season, dropping his technical fouls from seven to four and responding well to coach Erik Spoelstra’s decision to bring him off the bench when he returned from an oblique injury in early February. Whiteside would go on to average 14.2 points (on 60.6%), 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in 29.1 minutes per game over 73 appearances, accruing three ultra-rare point/rebound/block triple-doubles along the way. Most impressively, Whiteside achieved one of his primary goals heading into the season and improved his free-throw shooting, bringing his mark up from a woeful 50 percent in 2014-15 to a much more palatable 65 percent. There might not be much room for Whiteside to bump up his scoring given that his offensive repertoire is largely limited to putting back offensive rebounds and finishing off lobs, but the fact that he’s no longer a liability at the foul line should help his case for staying on the court during crunch time. That improvement coupled with his unparalleled rejection totals make Whiteside a worthy investment in the early rounds of fantasy drafts.

Whiteside is coming off an explosive breakout 2014-15 campaign with the Heat where he posted averages of 11.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in just 24 minutes while shooting 63 percent over the course of 48 games with the team. Whiteside will now enter the final year of his current deal, where a very productive season could lead to a very large new contract. Talent-wise, the Marshall alum has it all, as he can finish strong inside, rebound the ball at will, and serve as one of the league's very best shot blockers. However, Whiteside has a history of acting out and having attitude problems on the floor. Last season, the 7-footer was suspended for one game following a cheap shot to the back of Celtic's forward Kelly Olynyk's head, and the move is a cause for concern regarding Whiteside's future. Regardless, Whiteside will use this season to prove both his talent and maturity as the full-time starting center for Miami. He is a walking double-double who is only getting better, but it is his defensive presence that really makes him shine, as there is a good chance Whiteside can challenge to lead the league in blocks this coming season.

Signed non-guaranteed training camp deal with Grizzlies in Sept. 2014. Waived by the Grizzlies in Oct. 2014.

Whiteside missed the entire 2010-2011 campaign due to a major knee injury. And while he enters this season healthy, he doesn’t figure to see very many minutes in the Kings’ crowded frontcourt.

The back of Whiteside’s jersey should read “PROJECT.” While once hyped as a top-10 pick, Whiteside fell all the way to the second round when teams realized that a) his production was only okay in a terrible conference and b) he had only played one season of college despite being 21 years old. Whiteside has potential, but he won’t realize it for at least two or three years.