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NBA Trade Latest News & Update: Miami Heat Placing Derrick Williams On The Block

By Vaughn Dweebs | Update Date: Feb 02, 2017 11:42 PM EST

The Miami Heat may end up using the NBA trade deadline to free up their roster rather than adding a new face. After signing Okaro White to a second 10-day contract, Heat president Pat Riley might be forced to let Derrick Williams go. Josh Richardson is expected to return soon from injury, meaning one player from the active roster may need to be cut.

The looming candidate is Derrick Williams who could end up getting his release if no team indulges in an NBA trade. The Washington Wizards are reportedly one of the teams expressing interesting in the 6-foot-8 forward though nothing has developed so far, according to the Miami Herald. If not the Wizards, there are several teams who could use Williams like the Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns or even the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Of the two scenarios, waiving Derrick Williams seems more likely. Teams will likely wait-and-see knowing the Heat will eventually have to cut someone. Based on the playing time coach Erik Spoelstra is giving, waiving him seems imminent. Based on his numbers, Williams doesn’t look like the kind of guy who will make a big difference – meaning he may be more of a backup at best for teams looking to beef up their roster, NBC sports reported.

On the other hand, the Heat may have just stumbled upon another gem of a find in White. Somehow, he has gotten more minutes than the 25-year-old Williams. His second 10-day contract will expire this coming Sunday and the belief is that the Heat will either sign him for the rest of the season or part with him eventually.

If the Heat does sign up White, they can only offer him a two-year pact. Miami is over the salary cap and this is seen as the only plausible way to keep him on board. White is currently averaging 4.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 17.1 minutes.

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