Fansided

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Dion Waiters to opt out, become free agent

By David Austin Bumpus

Mar 3, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) calls a play as he dribbles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) calls a play as he dribbles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Dion Waiters is reportedly opting out of his player option with the Heat and looking to explore his options in free agency this summer.

After a solid year for the Miami Heat, Dion Waiters is looking to get paid some big bucks in free agency this summer.

According to a report from ESPN, Waiters is looking to leave Miami after just one year with the team, and has until June 29 to officially decline the player option in his contract.

In his one season with the Heat, the shooting guard averaged 15.8 points per game, along with 3.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. It was his best overall season since he joined the league, and will surely provide some solid production if he keeps up his pace with whoever decides to jump on him next.

The 25-year-old is a former first round, fourth overall pick, but hasn’t been able to find a consistent home in his five years in the league since the 2012 NBA Draft. He spent three years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and was then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015.

Next: 30 richest players in the NBA

While the Heat still have the chance to get Waiters back if he leaves for free agency, plenty of teams will be chomping at the bit to add the guard. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the teams reportedly interested in adding the Syracuse product to their roster, and have the cap space to pursue a deal that Waiters would surely enjoy.

Waiters only played 46 games in the 2016-17 season because of injuries, but still showed signs of improvement and increased production in the moments he was on the court. His presence would surely be appreciated for many of the teams looking to rebuild, like the Heat, Lakers, and plenty of others in need of a consistent shooting guard.

Home/Miami Heat