The Washington Wizards have waived second-year big man Daniel Ochefu, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Ochefu, 23, appeared in just 19 games last year during his rookie season and averaged 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds in 3.9 minutes per game. He was an integral part of Villanova's 2016 national championship-winning team during his college career.

Ochefu’s release comes on the heels of Sheldon Mac’s Achilles injury. Mac’s injury meant his $1.3 million partially guaranteed salary for this season became fully guaranteed, so the Wizards still would’ve had to pay his full salary plus additional luxury tax costs if they cut him.

The Washington Post’s Candace Buckner notes that given Ochefu’s partially guaranteed contract, he was the most likely candidate to be released and open up the roster spot they need to replace Mac.

She also didn’t expect Ochefu to get any significant minutes on the Wizards this season even if he did have a guaranteed deal given that the team’s frontcourt rotation is already locked in. Marcin Gortat, Ian Mahinmi, and Jason Smith were all ahead of Ochefu in the Wizards' center depth chart.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes that the Wizards will still take a $50 thousand cap hit after cutting Ochefu.