Lakers Rumors: Dion Waiters a free agency option for Los Angeles

Dion Waiters may have revitalized his career last season with the Miami Heat, but they don’t want to overspend to keep him; meaning, a team like the Los Angeles Lakers may call dibs.

Guard Dion Waiters had a resurgent year last season once he found a home with Miami and he’s on the record about his desires to stay with the Heat stating, “I want to be there..let’s get it over with as quick as possible.” But his preference to stay on the team he had a career year with may not matter. According to Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports, Miami would like to re-sign Waiters but only “at the right price”.

That’s no surprise considering Miami Heat President Pat Riley has been known to value his bottom line more than his players. But Waiters’ play last season, which almost notched the Heat a playoff spot after starting a dreadful 11-30, warrants a bigger contract. So if the Heat aren’t willing to shell out the cash for him, maybe another team will.

Which brings us to the Lakers. L.A.’s General Manager Rob Pelinka is Waiters’ ex-agent. The relationship these two have gives the Lakers an edge if they’re truly interested in Waiters. However, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports L.A. may not be ready to cash out for free agents this summer.

"Though there had been some concern that Dion Waiters’ former agent, new Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, might make a big offer for Waiters this summer, Lakers executive Magic Johnson – whose team has $23 million in cap space – told reporters: “I’m really looking to keep the cap space that we have and really try to play in next year’s free agent class, and not really this free agent class.”"

While Magic Johnson has let it be known the Lakers aren’t willing to spend just yet, if they can free up some cap space by making a trade for either Luol Deng or Timofey Mozgov, maybe Johnson’s sentiments will change. That would sure give Pelinka room to sign a free agent he knows well like Waiters. But before this is a real possibility, Waiters would have to pass on Miami’s offer and L.A. would have to make some room for him.

Next: Who do the Lakers land in our complete first round mock draft?

If the Lakers can trade away either the Mozgov or Deng contract and Waiters is available, do you think the guard would be a good free agency signing for L.A. this offseason? Let us know in the comment section below!