Ex-Heat guard Dion Waiters reportedly might be moving onto greener pastures
As the popular adage goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Such is the case with Dion Waiters and the Los Angeles Lakers.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday night that the Lakers are “expected to have an exploratory conversation” with Waiters. The Memphis Grizzlies waived the former Heat guard earlier that day.
The pivot to the former Heat guard comes after the Lakers struck out on Darren Collison who they unsuccessfully tried to recruit out of retirement. Acquiring Collison would’ve boosted a bench that lacks three-point shooting and ball handling.
A career 13 points per game scorer, Waiter is believed to be the Lakers’ next best option. The Grizzlies acquired the nine year veteran as part of the Andre Iguodala trade after his tumultuous season in Miami that included three suspensions and dozens of DNPs.
Although Waiters’ career 35 percent shooting from deep leaves much to be desired, there is cause for optimism. He hit 45 percent of his corner threes during his four years in Miami, which he’ll figure to get a lot of with LeBron James running the show. The Syracuse product also played more than 50-percent of his minutes last season at the point, according to Basketball Reference.
What makes this deal even more plausible is Waiters’ numerous connections to the Lakers. In addition to having played with James in 2014, he shares an agent with the 16-time All-Star and Anthony Davis in Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. Lakers president and GM Rob Pelinka previously represented the Syracuse product as well.
Whether or not the Lakers brass believe Waiters can stay out of the headlines for his off-the-court antics is up for them to decide. With as close as that locker room has grown over the past weeks, they’ll surely take the time to evaluate if bringing him in is even worth the hassle.
This story was originally published February 10, 2020 at 4:06 PM.
