Dion Waiters is looking at a substantial raise this summer and he wants it to come from Miami, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. The 25-year-old shooting guard is making an impressive case for himself in free agency, averaging a career-best 16.0 points per game and fueling a second-half surge that has the Heat back in the playoff race. Waiters, who is making $2.9MM this season, hopes his long-term future is in South Florida. “I want to get it done as quick as possible,” he said. “Let’s keep this thing rolling by any means. I don’t want to go into free agency with a couple days and make a decision. I don’t want that. I know where I want to be. Let’s just get it done. My mom loves it here. Would be mad at me [if I left]. My son loves it. My family loves it.”
There’s more news out of Miami:
- Waiters plans to contact former Heat star Dwyane Wade for tips on improving his game, Jackson writes in the same piece. He seems like an obvious candidate as Waiters has taken over Wade’s spot as a primary scorer in coach Erik Spoelstra’s offense. “I am definitely going to reach out to him to see if I can propel my game to a new level,” Waiters said. “That’s what the best players do.” If Waiters remains in Miami, it might prevent the Heat from having a reunion with Wade, who can opt out of his $23.8MM deal with the Bulls this summer.
- The Heat aren’t sure how a bruised right eye socket will affect point guard Goran Dragic, relays Manny Navarro of The Miami Herald. Dragic suffered the injury in the third quarter Saturday when he was hit with an elbow by Toronto’s Cory Joseph. Dragic said his vision was blurry, but he wasn’t dizzy and hopes to play tonight in Indiana. “The plan right now is to travel him,” Spoelstra said Saturday night. “We’ll see; we’ll be smart about it.”
- Development of players throughout the season has led the Heat to reassess not only their playoff chances, but their long-term future, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel.
I’m still not convinced Waiters is the main man for this team. He does not bring fear. I would also love to get Wade back. He is irreplaceable. We bring no fear to the other teams with Waiters
Waiters is a good piece to put with Whiteside. He’s young and has been solid fort he Thunder when he played there and now has been solid for the Heat too. I think they should sign him for 4-6 years.
I think he has proven he is worth it.
Problem is if a guy like Tyler Johnson gets 50 million how much would waiters get. Let him walk to a team like the nets.
We should keep waiters he is still young
In this market, I’d say Waiters is worth between $12-$15 million per…offer him 3 years/$42 million or 4 years/$56 million. I couldn’t go higher than that, if I’m Riley. We have other guards, and still need to look to bring in a free agent or 2/try to keep James Johnson around the same price, slightly less. If that isn’t enough for him, let him walk. He has been unbelievable, but I can’t trust him on a long term deal. Those numbers are high enough as is, and we just let Dwyane Wade walk out the door. That’s a way better offer than anything he saw last offseason, and the only teams I can see offering him close to that are the Nets and Sixers. You want to stay in Miami, Dion, we’ll want to keep you, but it has to be reasonable
Tyler Johnson isn’t the problem, he’s earning his $50mil.
At one point was leading the league in 4th quarter minutes. Plays defense, handles the ball, runs the floor, can shoot 3’s, has the grit and intensity you want from every player on your team…….what again is his problem.
Oh, the shirts and ties on TV told you he wasn’t worth that much, OK. When was the last time you heard any commentator talk positively about the Heat. They don’t like Riley, they didn’t like LBJ when he was there (even after promoting the heck out of him when he was with the Cavs and in high school), and they don’t like how the Heat run their organization (see also Spurs and Patriots).
The Brothers Johnson are doing big work coming off the bench for the hottest team in the league since January. Hate if you want, but Tyler Johnson is worth his contract.
Thank you. Been saying it since it was signed