Let’s just start off by saying — there’s no perfect replacement for Dwyane Wade. The 12-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion was Miami’s premiere athlete for more than a decade. Now that he’s gone, though, the Miami Heat must find a way to move on. Signing Dion Waiters to his two-year deal, worth $6 million was a great move for the Heat as the six-foot-four guard brings a lot more to the table than people might think.
Here are five reasons why Waiters can elevate the Heat to the next level:
1. Instant Offense
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Waiters is a scorer. That’s his game. Though he only played about 27 minutes per game for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season, he managed to average 9.8 points, 2.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. He put up those numbers in spite of being on the floor with two of the top players in the league (Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook), who demand more than their fair share of time with the ball.
In the playoffs, Waiters provided several meaningful performances, which helped his team come to within a game of reaching the NBA Finals. Due to his knack for scoring, Waiters already has an “inside track” to land the starting shooting guard job above Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson, according to Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel.
Next: Aggressive Mentality
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2. Aggressive Mentality
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If Waiters is nothing else, he’s aggressive. Like his former teammate, Wesbtrook, when he’s on the court, he never goes less than full speed.
“Dion is young, athletic and explosive, which fits in with our roster,” team president Pat Riley said after signing the 24-year-old. “He will add a great dimension for us at the off-guard spot. I really like the depth and versatility that we now have in our perimeter positions.”
The former first-round draft pick never passes up the opportunity to take tough shots or throw his body at defenders near the rim in order to score points. While he may not be the most efficient player on the court at any given time, his explosive, aggressive nature is certainly something to appreciate. He is not afraid of big moments or taking the last shot, either.
Next: Playoff Experience
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3. Playoff Experience
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The current Heat roster is made up of mainly young guys without much playoff experience. Waiters, though only 24-years-old, played in 18 playoff games with OKC last season. He experienced the ups and downs and the highs and lows of postseason play. Though the Thunder eventually blew a 3-1 lead against the Golden State Warriors, Waiters learned what it takes to compete in the playoffs and that knowledge and experience now becomes an asset for the Heat.
Next: Competition Boost
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4. Competition Boost
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Though Waiters may already be the favorite to start at shooting guard next season, the competition between him, Johnson and Richardson will be fierce, to say the least. All three guys deserve a shot at the two spot and competing for that position will only make each of them better.
Each of these guys are young and competitive and bring a special skill set to the table. The battle for the starting two guard position will force all three players to work harder to prove themselves, which will ultimately bring out the best in each of them.
Next: Bargain Buy
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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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