Miami Heat to release Derrick Williams and sign Okaro White

Derrick Williams’ short and inconsistent time with the Miami Heat is set to come to an end, as the team plans to release him.

In an effort to create a roster spot for Okaro White, the Miami Heat are releasing forward Derrick Williams, as reported by The Vertical.

in a move that had been expected since White signed his second 10-day contract last week.

The move has been expected since White’s second 10-day contract was about to expire. Teams can sign players to up to two 10-day deals per season, then have to sign them for the balance of the season if they want to keep them.

The Heat had reportedly been trying to trade Williams, the former No. 2 overall pick, but ultimately had to waive him.

The Heat called up White from the team’s D-League affiliate the Sioux Falls Skyforce in mid-January after being granted temporarily a 16th roster spot by the NBA due to injuries.

Since then, the Heat are 10-0 and have become one of the hottest teams in the league. Of course, that has to do with a lot more than White’s addition to the team, but he’s been impressive nonetheless. White, 24, is averaging 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game in his nine appearances. In his best performance, he had 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks in 27 minutes in the Heat’s Jan. 25 win against the Brooklyn Nets.

Williams, 25, had struggled to get on the court all season. He’s appeared in just 25 games, and last played significant minutes on Jan. 8. He was averaging 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game.

On Monday, Williams Tweeted “Pat Riley is a man of his word. Ultimate respect.”