Miami Heat 1-on-1: The team’s outlook before training camp

For today’s Miami Heat 1-on-1, two AllUCanHeat contributors discuss the team as it heads into training camp next week.

Dion Waiters still isn’t cleared for contact practice. What should be his role upon his return to full health?

Ivan Mora (@moraivan): I think he should be inserted into the starting lineup as soon as he comes back. The valuable part of having Dion Waiters is his clutch gene and the fact that he isn’t afraid to take the last shot. Having Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow in the second unit, with Dwyane Wade leading the way, is huge for development and accelerated offensive boost. Besides, the combination of 7/11 with Goran Dragic for a short time worked wonders; they clicked, and I think that should continue moving forward if he is indeed 100 percent healthy.

Imran Ebrahim (@iebrahim81): Does trade piece count as a role? He’s making $11-12 million a year for the next three seasons, and for a team that needs a jolt of offense, he could do wonders. But on the presently constructed Miami Heat team, he’ll probably be the starting 2-guard. However, I think he can be the scoring prowess off the bench. Yes, Wayne Ellington, Tyler Johnson, and Wade will come off the bench with him. But I can see Ellington and Wade working more with the starters at times. Bring Waiters in off the bench, similar to Lou Williams, and let him light it up. Depending on the flow of the game and how hot he’s getting, that’ll earn him more minutes on a game-by-game basis. After all, this is a guy who hasn’t played in nine months and hasn’t been cleared for contact yet. He’s also been prone to injury over his career, so bringing him off the bench will give him more of a replaceable role, in my opinion.