Miami Heat Round Table: Taking inventory of the win streak

Is Dion Waiters a keeper?

Tachauer: Um, absolutely. Mario Chalmers comparisons be gone. It’s clear Waiters has finally found a system that works for him. He’s taking in everything head coach Erik Spoelstra is saying, trusting his teammates, and continuing to believe in himself above all. Will he have 30-point games on a nightly basis? No. Will he always have the best looks? No. But this guy is special, nevertheless. Plus, who else will yell “AND 1” after literally every shot he takes? I don’t know about you, but I would miss that.

Urbina: As fun as Waiters has been recently, I’m going to need something longer than a nine-game sample size to call him a keeper. If he can somehow maintain the numbers he has posted during the streak (21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists on 50 percent shooting, 49 percent from three) for the rest of the season, then I’ll change my tune. But do I think he actually has the ability to keep his current run of form going through the end of the year? No.

Mora: Absolutely. Nevermind that he is killing it statistically, he has finally found a great match with Goran. Along with Dragic, they are 5th in the NBA as the best backcourt duo averaging 45 points per game. He never had a chance in Cleveland playing behind Lebron and more in OKC playing behind both Durant and Westbrook. Waiters has always wanted to be the man and in Miami he can be just that. He has also looked amazing defensively especially last night’s game in Atlanta. If they can keep this chemistry after the All Star break, expect Dion to get a huge contract this summer

Smith: Right now it’s hard to say no. Sure the sample size is small, but players of his clear talent level don’t grow on trees. Pat Riley stated upon his arrival he was clearly not a mid-exception salary player. Therefore, it will be interesting to see what value he will place on Waiters at season’s end. But for now, his value his rising by the day.

Nurse: To the naked eye Waiters is definitely playing like a keeper, in his contract year, averaging 20.7 points, 4.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game his the last 10 games. But a closer look at his last four shows a player who has not been showing up after halftime–shooting a combined total of 7-for-33 in the third and fourth quarters.

However everything about his play, on the surface, says that he is in for a raise in the offseason that the Heat should probably avoid. So why not sell while his stock is high before losing him for nothing or overpaying for a man who may regress back to his usual?

Haynes: I’m reminded of Miles Plumlee who just got traded. He had a great 30 game stretch in a contract year, got paid, and promptly returned to normal. Players don’t magically change. In the long run, Dion will mostly be the player he’s always been – a volume shooter who can get his own shot, create for others, and plays good defense. Sounds like exactly what the Heat need. Not to mention, Dion is just entering his prime. It’s a no brainer. Keep Dion Waiters.

Brock: Absolutely. He’s shooting and defending well, has cut back on careless plays, and is getting his teammates involved. Call it fluky, but this may just be finally-grow-up, 25-year-old Dion Waiters. His fit with Dragic is undeniable, and the likeliness of the duo remaining intact increases. I’d keep Waiters, but it comes down to if he gets offered more elsewhere, because Riley will have a price limit.