The Houston Rockets have waived former Mavericks center Sean Williams, according to sources with knowledge of the move.
The Rockets let Williams go Monday, sources said, because his contract for the 2012-13 season -- valued at just over $900,000 -- was scheduled to become guaranteed on Aug. 30. The 6-foot-10, 235-pounder from Arlington is now scheduled to clear waivers Wednesday night.
Houston acquired Williams' rights in late July as part of a sign-and-trade that the Rockets completed with the Boston Celtics to land Courtney Lee in Boston. Williams finished last season with the Celtics after the Mavericks released him March 22.
Williams' D-League rights are still held by the Texas Legends, but it's not inconceivable that he could land another NBA job before training camps open in late September. The Miami Heat, sources said, have expressed interest in Williams in the past and are known to be in the market for big men, having auditioned former Denver Nuggets center Chris Andersen and ex-New York Knicks power forward Josh Harrellson in recent weeks.
Williams played in eight games with the Mavs last season, averaging 3.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in just over eight minutes per game. In three games with the Celtics, Williams AVERAGED 3.7 points and four rebounds. He appeared in just two playoff games with the Celtics.
With the Legends, though, Williams has been one of the D-League's top defensive players for much of the past two seasons. He averaged 15.2 points and 8.9 rebounds in 27 games (25 starts) for the Frisco-based franchise last season and 14.4 points and 9.4 rebounds in 49 games (46 starts) 2010-11.