The Miami Heat’s success relies on a recovered Dion Waiters
Dion Waiter’s confidence is one of the Miami Heat’s trump cards.
The Miami Heat roster is loaded with trade fodder. Team president Pat Riley affirmed in his exit interview that no one is untouchable, including young pieces like Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson.
Despite the sentiment, one player is essentially immovable, even with Riley’s trade wizardry.
Hassan Whiteside excluded, who could potentially be pitched to a floundering team like the Phoenix Suns to ensure another year of tanking, Dion Waiters will be the hardest asset for the Heat to move.
Coming off of ankle surgery, Waiters’ trade stock has assuredly dropped. His last on court sampling was a sub-100 percent healthy effort late in 2017.
From all the exit interview madness however, little points to the Heat wanting to rid themselves of Waiters. In his first year of a four-year, $52 million deal with Miami, he’s was only beginning to find a rhythm in just 30 games played.
In those 30 games, Waiters was among the Heat’s most consistent. His 14.3 points per game was (and is) the second highest mark among Heat players and he was regularly on court for his late game, momentum shifting antics.
Waiters inability to shy away from big moments is his and Miami’s greatest asset. Without Waiters, Miami operates largely like a democracy deferring to the hot hand or the situation’s required specialist.
But with Waiters, South Beach’s one true king appears. He claimed his seat in the name of “Kobe-Wade” and rarely abdicated his throne.
"“Dion, at his best, gets in the paint whenever he wants,” Heat guard Rodney McGruder told the Sun Sentinel. “He collapses the defense and really helps shooters out and gets guys easy baskets. He’s a beast. He is.”"
Though Miami is searching for an answer to their talent shortage, making a premature deal to move away from Waiters could work towards the team’s downfall. Even on his worst nights, Waiters’ go-ahead approach to shot making provides the Heat some direction.
Waiters’ hot-hand is artificial. It’s not warmed up through long nights of shots ripping through the net. His persistence can will the ball into the hoop after a series of misses like they never happened.
Flipping Waiters’ contract then is unlikely to produce a player with his same confidence, at least not initially. Based on his production, the $11 million he earned this season is a bargain compared to larger contract players like Kent Bazemore and Wesley Matthews.
Unless Miami can court a certified All-Star (no offense, Goran Dragic) Waiters is young enough that he can bounce back from his ankle injury and blossom. With the right situation and work ethic he could make strides akin to the Indiana Pacers’ Victor Oladipo.
Questions still surround whether Richardson is ready to lead a Heat offense. Winslow has a do-it-all skill set that would be hampered by a shift to focus on scoring.
Next: Should Josh Richardson be the Miami Heat’s number one offensive option?
Thus, Waiters progression this off-season can uncover Miami’s offensive salvation without jumping the gun on risky roster moves.