Dion Waiters meets with Lakers after hearing out Miami Heat
By Wes Goldberg
Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra headed to California to talk to Dion Waiters after wrapping up their meeting with Gordon Hayward.
After pitching its top priority Gordon Hayward on the idea of playing in South Florida, the Miami Heat went to the next item on the list: pitching free agent Dion Waiters.
Heat president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra flew to Los Angeles to meet with Waiters, reports the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.
"The Heat wants to convey to Waiters that it’s still very interested, even though it is in no position to make a large lucrative offer until Hayward decides among offers from the Heat, Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz."
However, after his meeting with the Heat, Waiters also met with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders. This meeting coming after the Heat’s could mean that Waiters isn’t confident that Miami will have the cap room to offer him a suitable deal, as the South Florida Sun-Sentinal’s Ira Winderman says:
Dion Waiters' meeting with Lakers is curious after meeting with Heat. Could be that Waiters doesn't see Heat having (leftover?) money.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) July 3, 2017
Waiters had a breakthrough season in his first year with the Heat, averaging 15.8 points in 44 games and hitting multiple game-winning shots, earning himself cult-hero like status among fans.
If Miami does land Hayward at a max deal (starting at $29.7 million next season) they would have to clear enough cap space to offer even one of Johnson or Waiters. Johnson made $4 million last season, and Waiters made $2.9 million. Both should command upwards of $10 million a season. Creating enough space to sign both would be extremely difficult (and not necessarily beneficial).
Johnson was in attendance for Miami’s pitch to Hayward, and recently said he’d be patient with the Heat as they wait out this process.
Next: Potential free agent replacements for Dion Waiters
Waiters has been very complimentary of the Heat organization, especially in his article for the Player’s Tribune. However, his strong season has put himself in position to sign the most lucrative contract of his career so far. It might just not be in Miami.