After a tumultuous season that included three suspensions in Miami and a trade to Memphis, veteran guard Dion Waiters is currently on waivers. When he goes unclaimed on Tuesday, he’ll be free to sign with any team except the Heat, and it sounds like the Lakers may have some interest.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are expected to have an “exploratory” discussion with Waiters sometime soon. As Wojnarowski notes, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka previously represented Waiters during his days as a player agent.
The Lakers are in the market for a play-maker to add to their backcourt. Darren Collison was previously thought to be at the top of the team’s wish list, but as we relayed on Sunday, he has decided not to pursue an NBA comeback this season. Woj suggests L.A. is considering multiple other possibilities, including waiting to see who else might hit the buyout market.
The fact that Waiters is represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, who also represent Anthony Davis and LeBron James, could work in favor of a union with the Lakers. However, Wojnarowski suggests that – as they did with Dwight Howard before signing him last summer – the Lakers would want to talk to Waiters to get a sense of his “state of mind” after his career hit a rough patch within the last year.
Waiters, 28, has been hampered by injuries in recent years, having not played more than 46 games in a season since 2015/16. Conditioning issues and off-court behavior – including a confrontation with head coach Erik Spoelstra and an incident on the team plane with a weed gummy – played a part in his lack of role with the Heat this season. He appeared in just three games for the team all season, averaging 9.3 PPG in 14.0 MPG.
If they want to sign Waiters or another player, the Lakers will have to remove a player from their 15-man roster. DeMarcus Cousins, who is expected to miss the entire season with a torn ACL, looks like the most probable odd man out.
Troy Daniels would be the odd man out
He might, but it should be Dudley. Only reason it’ll be Daniels is because they are the same position
Dudley looks awful
Jared Dudley
Bingo, for the Lakers with Nion Dion over Daniels. Throw in IT and the issues they are looking at are solved. Unless they want more defense and versatility, then it’s Tyler Johnson over IT.
If Waiters doesn’t make the Lakers, it will be a pretty good indication that he’s the guy Miami said he was. But if he looks good? Hopefully fans and other front offices don’t pigeonhole the guy.
*Dion Waivers
Nice
Better fit for the 6ers
When Lebron was with Miami, and asked about the Cavs, he mentioned Dion as an asset and said that he could straighten him out. Maybe early 2015.
Most Cavs fans would have warned him against it but Lebron knowing his worst side and approving him anyway made a difference.
However Waiters was dealt away midseason in a complicated deal that got center Mozgov, who was needed more than Waiters. The inside story, IDK, but there was a Waiters/Irving rivalry.
Waiters is kind of like Winslow , where he gets hurt in the midst of when hes experiencing highs, and then is inconsistent when readily available.
Why on earth would the Lakers cut DMC?
If that was the plan they would have done it a long time ago. They want him for the post-season if he makes it or for next year, so cutting him would be a very bad choice for the Lakers, they are plenty of bums to cut before, like the aforementioned Daniels & Dudley.
Can’t understand why this site keeps pushing the narrative about cutting DMC, nonsense really.
He’s not expected to play this season and is on a 1 year deal.
After two major injuries he could very well be done in the NBA.
1. He isn’t going to play. 2. If they waive him I think the 1-yr no trade clause goes away (Luke would know if that is the case). So if they decided to bring him back next year using the vet min, they could trade him if needed without him holding veto. 3. They need guys down the stretch to rest their starters and still win some games against scrub teams.
Would be good for the Nets, LeVert is always in and out of the team with injury and Waiters could be a handy back up scorer.
I remm eber in the the roughly half-year they played togther, Lebron thought Dion might develop into a Ron Harper kind of defender.