Now finishing up his second 10-day contract, 24-year-old Okaro White has impressed in his time with Miami. The former Seminole has played in nine games this season, including a stellar performance (10 points, seven rebounds, four blocks) against the Nets.
White’s contract expires today, and according to a report from Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, the team is undecided about his future on the roster. The Heat are facing a roster crunch, as Josh Richardson is set to return from injury after missing 13 games with a foot injury. NBA teams are permitted to sign players to a maximum of two 10-day contracts before signing them for the rest of the season, or releasing them. The Heat can offer White a two-year contract at most, due to their salary cap position.
Veteran forward Derrick Williams appears to be a candidate to be cut to clear room for White. Williams, who was inked to a one-year, $4,598,000 contract over the offseason, has played sparingly under head coach Erik Spoelstra– accumulating eight DNPs over Miami’s last 10 games. Amid roster speculation, Williams traveled with the team for their upcoming road trip.
If Spoelstra’s quote is any indication, White appears to have made a lasting impression on Miami’s front office.
“You can see why we like him,” Spoelstra said of White. “He’s a Miami Heat guy, a lot of intangibles, those winning plays that we keep on talking about.”
Of all the players Williams is most likely to go. The good thing for the heat is there are a couple teams below the salary floor that are likely to consider a claim for him, saving the heat a little money
And if not, just eat the money. Derrick Williams might need to go overseas for another opportunity. Dude has been totally lost on both ends of the floor since the preseason started. This shouldn’t even be a question. Okaro White should have made the team in training camp over him, as I said back then. Maybe the Heat would have a few more wins right now if that 4 spot wasn’t such a black hole in the beginning of the season
Honestly it doesn’t matter at this point why commit to one guy? They should test out a lot of guys to see who fits and who doesn’t. The heat are in rebuild mode.
Not that it matters in this scenario, but Riley doesn’t rebuild. He retools for championship level rosters.
Anyway, you don’t pass on Okaro b/c someone will pick him up. He is clearly an NBA versatile 3/4, and can even play small ball 5 for stretches. That’s extremely valuable. It also fills the Heat’s biggest need. He can defend multiple positions, defend pick and roll, cover a lot of ground and get back to protect the rim, fights for loose balls and offensive rebounds, amd then he makes good decisions offensively, can put the ball on the floor, and shoot 3s. You definitely sign him
understand what you’re saying, but its to early, white has had one good game so far. Heat should explore other options before they commit to one player.
He has been good in every game he has been in. What are you talking about?
Yes he’s been good, but not GREAT. Honestly feel Heat wanted to give Weber a chance, but the warriors snagged him.