NBA Rumors: Dion Waiters Is Still Unsigned, Where Will He Play Next?
Dion Waiters is still an NBA player without a home. Given Waiters’ talent as a scorer and ability to play defense when his mind is made up, that is a huge surprise. The flirtation of players in NBA free agency is now three weeks old. One of the top 25 free agents which was available is unsigned.
Where will Dion Waiters play next?
In the beginning of free agency, teams stayed away from Dion Waiters because he was a restricted free agent. Any team that would have been interested in signing Waiters had the fear that his incumbent team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, would match the deal.
It was just a few days ago that the Thunder, according to The Vertical, decided to rescind their qualifying offer to Dion Waiters. In doing so, the Thunder have allowed teams to sign him with no concerns of a deal getting matched. Timing was unfortunate for Waiters, who is now scrambling to find a new team.
OKC allows Dion Waiters into free agency – and how it plays into hope of new Westbrook deal. @WojVerticalNBA report: https://t.co/FAEhCVnKsN
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) July 19, 2016
NBA free agency has been unkind to Dion Waiters. Again, timing is important, especially in sports. Because the Thunder took too long in changing Waiters’ status from restricted to unrestricted free agent, it cost him the opportunity to sign a long-term deal.
There are a handful of teams that still have the cap space to sign Dion Waiters to at least a big money contract. The list includes the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Phoenix Suns.
Both the Nets and 76ers have reached out to Dion Waiters, according to NBA insider Sam Amico. There is even a report by Real GM citing that the Nets have met with Waiters face-to-face, but they allowed the talented guard to leave without a contract in hand.
Waiters’ meeting with the Brooklyn Nets took place prior to the Thunder taking their qualifying offer off the table.
Was the Brooklyn Nets one of those teams which was scared off by Dion Waiters’ then-status as a restricted free agent? It is quite possible. The Nets came to an agreement with Portland Trailblazers’ guard Allen Crabbe, a restricted free agent. The Trailblazers did match the Nets’ offer sheet, leaving them to scuffle.
Latest from around #NBA: Dion Waiters reportedly draws interest from Sixers, Nets. Spurs to pursue Monroe? More. https://t.co/ZdBx8vxUDE
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) July 19, 2016
Not only did the Nets offer Crabbe a contract, but they also agreed to terms with Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson, only to watch the Heat match that deal as well.
That was enough to make the Nets gun shy when it came to Dion Waiters. It is unclear how badly the Nets wants Waiters now. Days have passed since he became an unrestricted free agent, and he still does not have an offer in tow from the Nets.
It is hard to imagine Dion Waiters as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. While they have the money, Waiters is not a good fit with them.
Waiters does fit the mold of a veteran player with some playoff experience, but the 76ers are attempting to develop a culture with rookie Ben Simmons as the centerpiece. Adding an at times me-first player in Dion Waiters could ruin any chemistry before it starts. The irony is that the 76ers need a shooting guard in the worst way. They just do not have the foundation in place to house a player such as Waiters.
The Spurs offer a winning culture with an environment spearheaded by their coach, Greg Popovich. As stable as just about any other NBA franchise, if not the most stable organization, the Spurs have the things in place that could help Waiters succeed.
There is a need for more athleticism. Dion Waiters has an abundance of athletic ability. What he needs is the right structure in place for him to harness it. Waiters would do well in a no nonsense working environment, especially if he wants to cash in next season as an unrestricted free agent.
Adding Waiters helps the Spurs in terms of overall guard play.
Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli are both getting up there in age. Incumbent starting shooting guard Danny Green is primarily a three-point specialist. Dion Waiters has a skill set of a player who can do a little bit of everything. He can handle the basketball, shoot, and defend. Where Dion Waiters falters at is his efficiency.
Waiters’ overall efficiency is one of the reasons why he has not been signed yet. If he were to sign with a team like the Spurs, it will be for the minimum, which might motivate him to play well next season.
Dion Waiters shockingly remains unsigned. As of now there are a few teams who are willing to take a chance on him. Time is moving forward. Where will Dion Waiters land? Only time will tell.
[Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images]
