Dion Waiters is still dealing with ankle swelling

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 15: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 15, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dion Waiters is a full participant in training camp, despite his swollen ankle.

The Miami Heat began training camp on Monday, with guard Dion Waiters being a full participant. Despite participating fully, Waiters is still not 100 percent healthy. Following an ankle injury suffered in March, Waiters’ sprained left ankle remains swollen. But, the 25-year-old insists that he is okay to play and continue to train.

Dion Waiters says he was told ankle surgery would have had him out eight to 10 months. Says still swollen.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) September 27, 2017

Presumably, Waiters will not fully recover by season’s beginning. After missing the Heat’s final 13 games last season with the ankle injury, he declined surgery. However, he probably did not expect the injury to linger this long. Waiters’ ankle surgery would have sidelined him for at least eight to 10 months. Therefore, Waiters took his chances without surgery and opted to aim to play at the beginning of the year, as opposed to starting his season near Christmas time.

Waiters is one of the bright young stars on the Heat roster. Last season, his first in Miami, he began his new journey as an starter for Miami, following five years with the Thunder and Cavaliers. Waiters averaged 15.8 points per game last season, nearing a career-best. The young guard also managed 3.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, both career-highs.

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Recently, Waiters signed a four-year, $52 million extension to remain in Miami. Pending an ankle tweak in pre-season, Waiters should be good to go for the start of the year. Although he may not see his average 30.1 minutes a game, Waiters will play a significant role early on in Miami as the Heat look to improve on last season’s 41-41 record. Waiters will play a pivotal part in the Heat returning to the playoffs once again, should they do so this season, which is a real possibility considering how depleted the Eastern Conference truly is.

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