Reed is appreciative of Heat, Nets opportunities

Williams lands alongside LeBron with Cavaliers

Willie Reed can appreciate both sides of the story when his Heat bring their 12-game winning streak into Barclays Center tonight to face a Nets team on an 11-game losing streak.

He’s been there, done that. Twice

In a career that has seen him twice signed by both the Heat and the Nets, the 6-foot-11 center has an appreciation for both franchises.

Signed in July by the Heat to a two-year contract that includes a player option for 2017-18, Reed first signed with the Nets on Sept. 25, 2014, then was signed by the Heat on July 1, 2015, only to be signed away by the Nets eight days later during the Orlando Pro Summer League. After spending last season with Brooklyn, White returned to the Heat at the start of 2016 free agency.

Just as he is appreciative for this latest opportunity with the Heat, he also is thankful to the Nets for providing his NBA debut.

“I mean, it means a lot,” he said of facing the Nets. “They really liked me in training camp the year before. They just didn’t have space for me at the time.”

Then came the summer schooling with the Heat in 2015 that led to his return to the Nets.

“I got the opportunity to come to the Miami Heat for summer league and that really helped elevate my game offensively and conditioning-wise, which helped me be successful in Brooklyn.”

Reed said it was never his plan to walk away from the Heat during 2015 summer league, just that the Nets’ $500,000 guarantee was too much to bypass at a time when the Heat were facing luxury-tax concerns.

“It was definitely tough,” he said, “but what made the decision a little bit easier was the fact that my family was there with me. My wife and my son and I looked at them and realized that I had to provide for them, so I had to take the best route for my family.”

The shuttle between the teams allowed Reed to work with disparate centers, Brook Lopez with the Nets, Hassan Whiteside with the Heat. Those practice sessions, Reed said, steeled him for this current rotation role.

“Playing against Brook was good in practice,” he said. “To be able to guard him every single day just really helped to build my defensive game. And as far as with Hassan every single day, he’s one of the best defenders in the league. So I get the opportunity to learn from him.”

With a $1.5 million option for next season, Reed again could be weighing finances when it comes to a Heat future.

“To be really honest with you, I haven’t even thought about it,” he said. “I’ve just been talking with my family about trying to get us into the playoffs. I’ve never had the opportunity to be in the playoffs, so that’s been my biggest focus, is trying to get here and helping this team win. And I’ll worry about the offseason when the offseason comes.”

Derrick Williams

spot Thursday alongside with the

LeBron James

Cavaliers.

A day after he cleared waivers, the veteran forward agreed to the 10-day contract with the defending NBA champions.

Williams was waived Monday by the Heat in order to create the opening for rookie forward

to be signed to a two-year contract.

Williams, 25, had requested his release due to his lack of playing time, posting on Twitter shortly after his release, is a man of his word. Ultimate respect.”

Williams was added on a one-year, $4.6 million contract in the offseason, with the Heat having explored trade options before being making Monday’s decision. Because Williams cleared waivers, the Heat are liable for the remaining $1.7 million on Williams’ contract, with the forward now to receive an additional $57,000 from Cleveland for the 10-day contract.

White Okaro “Pat Riley