Miami Heat use room exception on Dion Waiters
The Miami Heat are apparently not done making moves just yet: the organization and Dion Waiters have just agreed to a one-year deal.
The Miami Heat may have lost Dwyane Wade, but fear not; the team is not left behind without prominent shooters. Since Wade’s announcement of joining the Chicago Bulls, president Pat Riley and company have been working in overdrive to try and make moves which will fill the void left behind. The latest roster change? Adding Dion Waiters.
Waiters, who has been looking for a new place to call home, has just agreed to a 1-year, $2.9 million deal with the organization.
Ironically, the 24-year-old was drafted by none other but the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2012, taking the No. 4 overall spot. Waiters was ranked the fourth best overall rookie by NBA.com following his first year in Cleveland, placing fifth in NBA Rookie of the Year voting. He spent a little over two years with the Cavaliers, during which time he averaged 13.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, on 27.4 minutes of play.
The former Syracuse player was then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, as part of a three-team deal, also involving the New York Knicks; this was the same deal which sent former New York guys Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, over to Cleveland. In Oklahoma, Waiters averaged 11.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists a matchup, on 28.9 minutes of play.
Although his achievements with the Thunder have largely been overshadowed by the likes of what Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were able to accomplish, Waiters has been known to be a key guy off of the bench. He has also been praised for his determined, focused mentality, and sharp shooting potential.
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He also played well during Oklahoma City’s playoff run, against heavy opponents such as the San Antonio Spurs and of course, the Golden State Warriors.
So far, there seem to be mixed emotions regarding the Heat’s decision to sign Waiters. While some are commenting that his youth makes him the perfect type of player to develop alongside guys like Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson, others are wondering why Miami sought him out, when no one else has been quick to bite.
Realistically, this is one of those wait-and-see type of situations.
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On the one hand, the fit does seem a little strange. Not to mention, just a week ago Riley made this statement:
"“As far as the $2.9 million room exception, we’re going to hold on to that. It’s a little jewel right now. I don’t think we’re going use it for the rest of the summer. There isn’t anybody out there right now that I want to give it to. It’s something you can use somewhere in February or March.”"
But, one should not overlook both Waiters’ age and the price he comes at. The guard still has plenty of time to be molded into the specific type of player the organization is looking for, and if it does not work out, it was a low-cost risk to take.
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The Heat’s roster now sits at 18. A team is allowed to walk into preseason with 20, before cutting five in time for the regular season to begin.