Player exit review: Dion Waiters enjoys career year with the Miami Heat

Jan 28, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) reacts after guard Wayne Ellington (not pictured) made a three point basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 116-103. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 6, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Derrick Williams (3) during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Interesting Stat: 23.8

Waiters graded out as one of Miami’s best distributors, assisting on 23.8 percent of his teammate’s total field goals while he was on the floor.

That’s nearly a 14 percent increase from last season, and five percent above his previous career-high, which was 18.4.

It’s also better than former Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade, who assisted on 22.4 percent of his teammate’s total field goals.

Waiters recorded 18 games with five or more assists this season, and he only appeared in 46 total due to injuries to his groin and ankle. That means that 39 percent of time, Waiters was especially looking to get teammates involved.

That’s a big change from earlier in his career. In fact, that’s something we have rarely, if ever, witnessed. Waiters averages just 2.7 assists per game for his career, and he put up just over four per game this year.

If Miami can make this man intro a willing distributor of the basketball, just imagine what he could do alongside Goran Dragic for years to come.

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