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NBA Free Agency: 5 potential destinations for Dion Waiters

By Akash Anavarathan

Mar 12, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) reacts after Miami scores a basket against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) reacts after Miami scores a basket against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Dion Waiters choosing to decline his player option for the 2017-18 season, he will become a free agent on July 1. Here are 5 possible destinations.

A few years ago when Dion Waiters was dealt from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Oklahoma City Thunder, nobody thought he would become a sought-after free agent. Waiters’ career was on the decline and LeBron James didn’t want him on his roster. After leaving OKC and ending up in Miami, the former Syracuse star has set him up for a nice payday.

Waiters’ run in the second half of the season with the Miami Heat is comparable to Jeremy Lin’s “linsane” run with the Knicks. Both were underrated players, who decided to carry their teams to new heights. Waiters carried a roster that lost LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to nearly a playoff spot.

The Miami shooting guard resurrected his career with a fantastic statistical season. He averaged 15.8 points per game on 42 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. His scoring and shooting percentage were the highest since his second year in the league, while his three-point percentage was the best ever.

However, Waiters suffered an ankle injury down the stretch of the season that caused him to miss quite a few games. As a result, the Heat weren’t able to sneak into the playoffs. Regardless, the 25-year old played great in his 46 appearances this season.

As reported earlier, Waiters will be declining his player option for the 2017-18 season, meaning he will become an unrestricted free agent. He’s set himself up for a huge payday this offseason, but where is he most likely to go? Here are five potential destinations for Miami’s shooting guard.

5. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are in an awful position. They have lost their top draft picks to the Boston Celtics in one of the worst trades in sports history. Jaylen Brown and presumptive top pick Markelle Fultz should very well be in Brooklyn. As a result, the Nets’ front office are pressing to try and add talent via free agency to improve their roster.

The Nets tried to add shooting guards Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson last season, but because they were restricted free agents, the Nets didn’t get their hands on them. This summer, they might have a chance to add another rising shooting guard in Dion Waiters.

Brooklyn is littered with young players, from Caris LeVert to Sean Kilpatrick. Adding 25-year old Dion Waiters to the mix could mean that the Nets can actually win some games next season. More of the question is will Waiters want to go to a team that’s going to stink next year, just so he can get paid handsomely and live in the Big Apple? That remains the million dollar question, but undoubtedly the Nets will be on his shortlist.

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