Willie Reed To Decline Player Option With Heat

Heat big man Willie Reed will opt out of his contract with the Heat, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, who reports (via Twitter) that Reed will turn down his player option for 2017/18. Declining that modest $1.577MM option will allow the 27-year-old to reach unrestricted free agency.

[RELATED: NBA Player Option Decisions For 2017/18]

Reed, who signed a minimum salary contract with the Heat last summer, appeared in 71 games for the team, averaging 14.5 minutes per contest in a part-time role. For the season, Reed recorded 5.3 PPG and 4.7 RPG with a .568 FG%.

While those numbers don’t jump off the page, Reed was a solid rotation piece for Miami and has likely earned a raise. The Heat only have Non-Bird rights on the 6’10” forward/center, so their ability to offer that raise will be limited, unless they can use cap space or their room exception.

Before he signed with Miami last July, Reed reportedly received interest from the Timberwolves, Spurs, Warriors, Thunder, and Pacers. Many of those teams could circle back to Reed this time around, and several more clubs will probably kick the tires, based on his solid performance in 2016/17.

Reed is one of three Heat veterans making a player option decision this summer. Josh McRoberts is opting into the final year of his contract, while Dion Waiters is considered a virtual lock to opt out.

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