Heat forward Derrick Williams expects to travel with the team for Monday’s game at Milwaukee, tweets Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Miami must make a roster decision when rookie forward Okaro White‘s second 10-day contract expires Sunday, and trading or waiving Williams has been discussed. White was added as a 16th player when the NBA approved a hardship exception. That exception remains in effect, but league rules prevent teams from signing an extra player for the rest of the season without opening a roster spot.
Coach Erik Spoelstra said no decision has been made on White, and it’s possible that the Heat may release him on Sunday and hope to re-sign him later (Twitter link). White has been getting about 15 minutes a night in his eight games with Miami and is averaging 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds. Williams has fallen out of the team’s rotation, even with its injury problems. He signed a one-year, $4.598MM deal over the summer, so waiving him wouldn’t create a significant financial burden.
There’s more today from South Florida:
- Josh Richardson could be with the team when the road trip starts Monday, tweets Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. Richardson’s ankle sprain was part of the reason the Heat were awarded the hardship exception, so a roster move will be necessary when he returns.
- James Johnson is moving into consideration for the Most Improved and Sixth Man awards, Winderman writes in a mailbag column. His stellar play this year and Miami’s recent success will also serve to drive up his price in free agency. The 29-year-old forward signed a one-year, $4MM deal last summer.
- As Miami climbs back into the playoff chase, Goran Dragic seems less likely to be moved before the February 23rd deadline, Winderman contends in a separate piece. There was once talk that the Heat would try to find a taker for Dragic and the more than $54MM he has left on his contract over the next three seasons. However, he has averaged nearly 22 points per game since returning from back spasms in early January and the Heat have started winning.
Dion Waiters is a great fit in Miami, obviously. He and Dragic have meshed. Justise Winslow can come back and play an appropriate role where he doesn’t have to score. Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson fit behind Dragic and Waiters.
Assuming they pick in the midlottery, their wish list should be something like Isaac, Tatum, Leaf, Markkanen…
I think Isaac goes in the top 5.
Winslow is out for the season. Also, still dont like Waiters and Dragic on the floor together as much. Dragic defers to him too much. Would prefer Richardson to start when he is healthy enough.
Still would like to trade Whiteside, if possible.
Also, wonder what the roster move would have been if Briante accepted the 10 day offer they made. Was confirmed they did offer one. They need to cut Williams. If nobody claims him to reach salary floor, whatever. Eat the money and sign White.
Boston would LOVE to have him lol.
I would love to trade him to Boston. Whiteside and Waiters, and Babbit for Rozier, 2017 Nets pick, Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko, Tyler Zeller