It wasn't too long ago when current Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside wasn't even a part of the NBA, bouncing around from D-League affiliates and overseas stints after a quick cup of coffee with the Sacramento Kings before finally finding a home in South Beach.

Currently making $981,000 in the final year of his two-year deal with the franchise, Whiteside will enter this summer as one of the prime gets in free agency. Heat president Pat Riley is well aware of the kind of money the 7-footer is going to command, and considering the year he's having, keeping Whiteside in Miami colors will be a top priority.

"I've never been around that kind of turnaround," Riley said Monday afternoon, according to the Palm Beach Post's Jason Lieser. "We've had some players that we've opened our eyes up on, but I think what Hassan did last year and what he's doing now, his level of play - it's just all about more experience, more reps, understanding how important he is for us.

"But in my 50 years in the NBA, I have never seen that kind of phenomenon. I know this is hurting me right now as far as his free agency goes because I'm complimenting him, but he's grown a lot."

Whiteside has been coming off the bench for head coach Erik Spoelstra ever since missing six straight games due to an oblique injury Jan. 20. His numbers certainly haven't suffered as a result, though, as he's averaged a staggering 16.1 points on 59.4 percent shooting, along with 12.7 points and 3.6 rejections coming off the bench over the past 19 games.

He's the undisputed king of blocked shots, with his 226 total rejections being 74 more than second ranked DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers (152). Whiteside also has three triple-doubles this season with 10 or more blocks, and four dating back to January 2015. Only four other players over the past 30 seasons (Dikembe Mutombo, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shawn Bradley, and David Robinson) can say they've had at least four in that category.

Miami is in prime position to return to the postseason after failing to qualify in 2014-15 without LeBron James as the team's centerpiece. A strong showing in April and May by Whiteside should only increase his value and make it even more difficult for Riley to retain his services at an affordable price.