Fansided

Warriors rumors: Could Golden State add some old friends to the roster?

By Michael Shearer

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is doused with water by Juan Toscano-Anderson #95 of the Golden State Warriors after their win over the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on April 12, 2021 in San Francisco, California. Curry passed Wilt Chamberlain as the Golden State Warriors all-time leading scorer during the first quarter of their game. 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is doused with water by Juan Toscano-Anderson #95 of the Golden State Warriors after their win over the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on April 12, 2021 in San Francisco, California. Curry passed Wilt Chamberlain as the Golden State Warriors all-time leading scorer during the first quarter of their game. 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Dion Waiters
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 28: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat drives the ball up the court against the Boston Celtics during the first half at American Airlines Arena on January 28, 2020 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Warriors free agent target: Dion Waiters

Ah, Dion. A homeless man’s Dwyane Wade who thought he was a rich man’s Michael Jordan.

Waiters hasn’t played in the NBA since a tumultuous 2019-20 season with the Heat and Lakers. He experienced a panic attack on a team flight after eating a THC-infused gummy, which was the last straw in a long line of drink-slurping devices for Miami. The Heat traded him to Los Angeles, who barely used him en route to their bubble championship, and that was all she wrote for Waiters’ career.

Waiters recently made news with an interview for Bleacher Report, where he took full responsibility for his immaturity:

"“I told [Waiters’ son], ‘Bro, your dad is not [out of] the league because of talent. It was my attitude, my character, and not understanding that it’s bigger than me…’ I was so irresponsible and immature. I let the Heat down. They were good to me. I did not handle it well at all.”"

The attitude adjustment is a great sign, but could Waiters realistically bring anything to the Warriors? After so long away, it seems unlikely.

At his peak, Waiters was a shot-hungry, low-efficiency gunner who didn’t bring much else to the table besides volume scoring. And given the way Waiters has chafed at playing time and lack of shots in the past, leadership may be leery about adding him to the roster despite his recent public about-face.

Even for a Warriors team looking for a bench sparkplug, there are likely better options available than a past-his-prime vet who hasn’t played a meaningful NBA game since COVID began.

Warriors free agent target: Tony Snell

Snell is famous for some mind-boggling anti-stats: he once recorded 28 minutes in a game and failed to register a single point, rebound, assist, block, or steal. He replicated that feat several more times throughout his career.

That’s not telling the real story, though. At 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, a prime Snell was the prototypical 3-and-D wing role player. He brought exactly zero other things to the table, but that’s okay! His job was to make 3s, and he has always done that supremely well, as his career 39 3-point percentage proves.

He was also the first player to record a 50/50/100 season, which he accomplished in the 2020-2021 season. He doesn’t take a lot of shots, but he doesn’t miss many, either.

Despite that efficiency, Snell will turn 32 this year and has never been as good on either end as teams hoped, which is why he was out of the league last season. Snell will do his job, but he’ll never rise about that. Maybe that’s enough for Golden State, but I’m skeptical.

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