Miami Heat: Dion Waiters is poised for a comeback season

A comeback season is in the works for Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters, who was sidelined due to an ankle injury last year.

After playing just 30 games last season for the Miami Heat before having to undergo ankle surgery, Dion Waiters will have a lot to give and even more to prove when he returns for the team’s 2018-19 campaign.

One word best describes Waiters: confident.

As fans of the league know, Waiters has an attitude and demeanor that Heat Nation hopes will push him to improve and come back at the best level he can.

He is a believer in himself before anyone or anything else. While this can be a good or bad thing, it has an impact on the team around him nonetheless. Someone with his level of confidence could have been useful late last season, to possibly help Hassan Whiteside get back on track.

Aside from his own confidence, he now also has support from team leader and fellow shooting guard Dwyane Wade. Waiters never had the opportunity to play on the Heat with Wade, but that added support (if Wade re-signs) should help him not only in his return on the court, but off it as well.

Expectations post injury

Prior to his injury, Waiters was averaging 14.3 points a game. While this was not his career best, he still contributed to the team in a big way.

However, do not forget what he provided for the team when he was signed in 2016-17.

After losing Wade – the blood, sweat, tears and leadership of not just the Heat but the City of Miami period – to the Chicago Bulls, Waiters was signed. That season was not smooth by any means, but Waiters had one of his best years in the league, averaging 15.8 points and 4.3 assists per game.

He was a little hope and a lot of confidence for a team and fanbase that felt lost.

Due to the state of the Eastern Conference and this team, expectations are running high for the Heat to do something this season.

Waiters and the future of the Heat 

If Waiters really does have a comeback season, posting numbers like he did just a year ago, he could be key as this team transitions from the veterans to the youth.

At 26-years-old, he is in a place where he might not be a long-term option, but playing out the remainder of his contract could actually be what this team needs, while the front office is figuring out what those long-term options are.

In an uneventful offseason in South Florida, the Heat have a lot to figure out for the future and what expectations versus reality really looks like.

The 2018-19 season will be all-telling for both Waiters and the overall future of the Miami Heat.