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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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Mar 11, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (left) greets Heat guard Wayne Ellington (right) during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (left) greets Heat guard Wayne Ellington (right) during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Miami Heat

The incumbent team has the best chance to re-sign their star. Yes, he’s declining the player option for 2017-18, but that doesn’t mean he wants to come back to Miami. It’s the logical business move to opt-out of the contract and gets paid as much as he possibly can. Especially with Chris Bosh’s salary off the books, Waiters could stay in Miami and make a lot more than he would if he opted in.

For years, Miami-Dade County has been known as “Miami-Wade County.” But after this season, Heat Faithful might have renamed it to Miami-Dion country for the way he played down the stretch. This landing spot makes the most sense,

Waiters has found a nice spot playing alongside point guard Goran Dragic, creating a backcourt duo that can attack the rim consistently. In this past season, they’ve learned how to complement each other and lead the Heat to wins. With Bosh’s salary off the books, Pat Riley has a lot more money to spend on potential free agents, even after keeping Waiters.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft: 5 best fits for De’Aaron Fox

Waiters will surely have his options this offseason. Shooting guards from Allen Crabbe to J.R. Smith got paid handsomely last summer, so Waiters can expect the same. Let’s see where he ends up, but here are five options that make sense for the shooting guard.

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