The importance of the Miami Heat re-signing Dion Waiters

The Miami Heat have decided to re-sign Dion Waiters, so what does this mean for the organization?

For the first time since 2017 NBA free agency began, Miami Heat fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the team would be re-signing Dion Waiters to what is believed to be a four-year, $52 million deal. Having come aboard in 2016-17 on a two-year, $6 million contract (with a second year player-option), the guard proved his worth over the past season.

Averaging 15.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game in 46 contests, the Philadelphia-native left the entirety of Heat Nation (plus ESPN’s Zach Lowe) wanting to buy land on Waiters Island.

And it is about so much more than straight numbers on a page.

Sure, Waiters putting up 15.8 points a matchup was great. Especially given his career-high was 15.9 with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013-14. He also reached a career-high number of rebounds and assists per game, and shot a career-high 39.5 percent from downtown.

Things like back-to-back 33-point games, one of which was against the Golden State Warriors no less, also stand out.

But the admiration for the 25-year-old more so has to do with just how much Waiters bought into the Heat’s culture. Arriving in South Beach at 234 pounds with 10 percent body fat, the guard trusted president Pat Riley and company to get him into “world class shape.” Fast forward to April, and Dion was down to 222 pounds and 7.5 percent body fat, with room still left for improvement.

"“That’s one thing they preach over here, just get in the best shape of your life,” Waiters explained of the process."

Which is exactly what he did.

Waiters also captivated not just fans but followers of the game period, with his Players’ Tribune article.

In it, the guard details his first interaction with Riley, tells stories of his upbringing and outlines his journey with Miami so far.

"“Look, I know we fell one game short of the playoffs, and it kills me. If I hadn’t gone down with an injury, I think we all know where we’d be right now. But you know what? The run this season was magical. Our fans sold out the arena every night, even when we were left for dead. I love Miami. I had a hell of a season here.”"

Spoken like a true up-and-coming Heat Lifer.

Of course, then there were the likes of hitting a game winner in Klay Thompson’s face.

As well as leading Miami to an 18-point comeback against the Brooklyn Nets, by scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter.

No stat-line can tell the story of the run Waiters had with the Heat last year.

Just like re-signing Waiters is not just another piece of free agency news.

Once Riley missed out on Kevin Durant and lost Dwyane Wade last summer, the majority of Miami fans no longer believed he had a clear vision for the team. Having signed the likes of Waiters, James Johnson and Wayne Ellington to short-term contracts, it appeared as though the front office was merely gathering bodies for a roster. Without giving them any thought. With no rhyme or reason.

Of course, those people were wrong.

Riley saw something in Waiters. And bringing him back means he continues to do so.

And Waiters himself wanting to return? Well that shows everything Riley preached was true. That the word culture actually means something to the organization. That Miami Heat Basketball is a lifestyle.

The importance of re-signing Waiters goes beyond holding onto an offensive threat, a clutch shooter, a three-point powerhouse. Giving him a new deal rewards him for buying into the system. It allows for the Heat’s unique identity to live on. It proves that Riley is still the best at what he does. And head coach Erik Spoelstra is a genius in his craft.

While the success of Shaquille O’Neal and Wade may be long forgotten and the magic of the Big Three is now gone, 2016-17 marked the start of a new chapter for the franchise. One that is headlined by underdogs, the forgotten ones, guys who have been overlooked time and time again.

With Waiters being no exception.

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So welcome back, Dion Waiters. And thank you for bringing about a new era of Miami Heat Basketball.