Has former OKC Thunder guard Dion Waiters played his last NBA game?
Former OKC Thunder guard Dion Waiters’ tumultuous Heat tenure has resulted in numerous suspensions. Has the enigmatic guard played his last NBA game?
When the OKC Thunder let guard Dion Waiters walk for nothing at the end of the 2016 season, it seemed like a good move. The 6’3″ guard out of Syracuse was more interested in finding his own shot than helping the team to win.
Then Waiters started playing well for the Miami Heat, averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds. He shot the ball at 42.4 percent from the floor and 39.5 percent from deep. This prompted the Heat to sign Waiters to a four-year, $52 million deal.
Since signing the deal, Waiters’ production has declined. The 2017/18 season saw Waiter average 14.3 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.6 rebounds. The 2018/19 season was even worse. Waiters averaged 12.0 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 rebounds.
This was starting to suggest the old, selfish Waiters was back. His assist numbers were down, meaning he was again looking for his own shot more. This was the biggest problem Waiters had when playing for the OKC Thunder.
However, things have gotten worse for the Heat and Waiters. Prior to this season, Waiters had been suspended three times by the Heat. This season, he is yet to play a game and he’s been suspended three more times.
Miami has suspended Dion Waiters again for “failure to adhere to team policies, violation of team rules and continued insubordination,” team says. He can return after Heat’s game on Dec. 23.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 13, 2019
The first suspension of the season was in October, actually prior to the season started. He was suspended for detrimental conduct, no one is aware of what this conduct was. The second suspension was due to Waiters having a panic attack on the team plane after ingesting THC infused edibles. This was for ten games.
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This latest suspension was for telling the team he was unavailable due to illness. He then posted a picture of himself on a boat on his Instagram account per the New York Post.
While watching the Heat play the Memphis Grizzlies, the commentators posed the question, who would take a risk on Waiters, given his past? This is a pertinent question given it appears that the Heat will probably not play Waiters again.
They have had the opportunity given that Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow have both been out with injury. So, who in the NBA will trade for Waiters? And, if the Heat can’t trade Waiters, what can they do with him?
He may sit this season out but there is not much the Heat can do. They are already carrying over $5 million per season for the next three years after stretching the Ryan Anderson contract. They are also operating under a hard cap which limits their options
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Unless a trade can be made, Dion Waiters appears to have played his last game. Thank goodness Sam Presti did the right thing in 2016.