"I take less money" - Former Heat center reveals attempting to recruit Kevin Durant by taking pay cut

Former Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside revealed his team attempted to recruit Kevin Durant in 2016. Whiteside appeared on a recent episode of The OGs Show, a podcast hosted by Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller. Whiteside talked about the moment when a potential team-up with Durant almost occurred.

Whiteside played for the Heat after LeBron James's four-year run with the team ended. During the post-LeBron era, the organization attempted to contend for the title but struggled to become an Eastern Conference threat.

At the time, Whiteside developed into one of the league's best big men. The defensive-minded center said he spoke with Heat president Pat Riley at one point to discuss acquiring Durant.

Whiteside even volunteered to take a pay cut if it meant getting the superstar forward.

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"I told Pat [Riley], I said, 'If KD comes, I take less money,'" Whiteside said. "It was more so about winning. We would have Goran, D-Wade, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh and then me at the five."

Haslem responded to Whiteside's revelation by admitting he, too, hoped Durant would join their roster. However, the former Heat forward shared that joining the team then wouldn't have been the future hall of famer's best move.

James had just left Miami to join the Cleveland Cavaliers then, and having Durant join the team would lead to endless comparisons. Haslem explained that both forwards were already being compared and having the younger star join the team his rival previously played for wouldn't have been ideal.

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Kevin Durant took a slightly different path than LeBron James

Durant and James have always drawn comparisons. Fans and experts often discuss their individual and team achievements. While James made the most of teaming up with one or two stars, Durant had a unique journey in collecting his hardware.

In the summer of 2016, he joined the Golden State Warriors. Durant's choice made it clear he didn't want to be compared to James. However, not everyone was happy with the star's move.

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Durant won two championships with the Warriors. However, unlike his rival, the 'Slim Reaper' has struggled to add another ring since leaving Golden State.

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