Rumors have emerged that the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are currently negotiating on a trade that involves Hassan Whiteside as the centerpiece.

Whiteside, 27, has been recently mentioned in trade rumors after the Heat started the season poorly. The team has a 3-8 slate at the moment and is second from the last place in the Eastern Conference standings with only the Philadelphia 76ers having a worse record.

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The former Marshall standout is the lone bright spot for Miami this season as he is averaging 18.2 points, 15. 9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 10 games so far. He and Goran Dragic remained as the team's new leaders after Dwyane Wade left for Chicago in the summer and Chris Bosh is still prohibited returning to the court with his blood-clotting issues.

However, as one of the team's best players, Whiteside has also become one of their best trade assets. Team president Pat Riley has recently hinted reporters that the club will undergo a rebuilding process that would require future first-round draft picks.

Speculations abound that in order to get one or two future picks, the team would have to trade either Whiteside or Dragic before this season's February trade deadline.

HNGN reported that the Celtics are reaching out to the Heat to inquire about Whiteside's availability as the team still looking for pieces to improve their frontcourt, which is currently plagued by injuries.

Al Horford and Jae Crowder are still sidelined by separate injuries as the face the Golden State Warriors on Friday. With Boston hanging at sixth place in the East, the team would need more reinforcements to challenge top dogs Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors.

According to iSports Times, the Celtics are preparing a package that includes Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko, Terry Rozier, and their 2017 first-round pick from the Brooklyn Nets. With the Nets still struggling this season, it would be a highly valuable pick for the Heat.

There are rumors, though, which says that Dragic is more likely to be dealt than Whiteside especially after the club granted the big man a four-year, $98.5 million deal in the summer.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2016, Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics