Potential free agent replacements for Dion Waiters

Dion Waiters is no guarantee to return to the Miami Heat, despite displaying some of his immense talents this season. Here we take a look at some of his potential replacements.

Dion Waiters’ true value to the Miami Heat this season was not just restricted to his on court performance. It was also evident during his untimely late season absence.

Waiters played in just 46 games in debut season in Miami, averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per game. While overall he shot 42.5 percent from the field, Waiters’ 39.5 percent accuracy from behind the three-point line was comfortably a career-high.

But much like the team as a whole, Waiters’ form took off in the second half of the season.

At 11-30, the Heat appeared to be going nowhere. But in completely flipping this around for a 30-11 record to finish the season, Waiters’ form was one of the key ingredients to the Heat’s success.

Over the final 41 games of the season, Waiters played in 25 games, averaging 18.4 points, 4.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. Most notably, he converted at a 46.7 percent clip from the field, 44.5 percent from three and was a +138 overall while on the court. During these games, the Heat notched a 21-4 record.

But it was also the games Waiters missed through injury where his value to the team was just as apparent. During the 16 games Waiters missed in the second half of the season, the Heat posted a 9-7 record. Considering the Heat missed out on the playoffs to the eighth placed Chicago Bulls due to their 2-1 season tiebreaker, one can easily argue that Waiters’ absence cost the Heat a playoff berth.

Still just 25 and about to enter the prime years of his career, Waiters’ value around the league has never been higher. And with some huge offers bound to come his way this summer, the Heat will need some alternatives options in mind if their negotiations with Waiters come awry.