5. Bargain Buy
Waiters’ deal with the Heat is based around a $2.9 million exception in the first year, with a player option in the second year worth a little over $3 million. If he had accepted the qualifying offer sheet with the Thunder, he would’ve earned $6.8 million in Oklahoma City in 2016-17. Essentially, Miami got Waiters for half what he was worth.
Here is what the former Syracuse University product told fans on his Instagram account:
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“I didn’t do it for the money… I did it for the opportunity to go out & ball & have fun. Everything else will take care of its self!!! I just felt like it was the best situation for me…& my family. I could have waited & got (what) I wanted. But I (would) rather be happy than miserable at the end of the day!!!”
The Waiters deal is a steal for the Heat, no question. Plus, if he can produce at a higher level now that he will have more opportunities with the ball in his hands, Riley will once again look like a genius in Miami.
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