4. Dion Waiter
This is an interesting one. Dion Waiters has always had a lot of potential and talent. He has shown it on occasions and played in some big-time moments.
He has playoff experience with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He also has hit some pretty clutch shots, such as this one here against the Warriors. He’s a guy that can go off at any time and score 30.
Problem is, he has some issues off the court, such as the gummies incident. But, he still has the talent and can help slide into a new role with a change of scenery that could help.
Advanced stats in his career have graded him out as average defensively. His offensive rating is slightly above average, hitting as high as 110.5 for OKC in the 2015-16 season. He played well when tasked with being on a contending team.
He does provide volume shooting, but he sure has the ability to dominate when he is on. He can create his own shot, that is talent, that’s not something you can teach. His first step is also very explosive.
He will be a guy that will average double-digit points even in small amounts of playing time. He’s made his money and if the Lakers could correct his issues he would be a steal. This isn’t an ordinary buyout, he’s someone that could be hit or miss, but if he gets it right, watch out.
Waiters, due to many issues this season, just suited up for the first time recently. If the Heat decides they want to get rid of him, Lakers should be on the phone with his agent. We’ve seen many times before what a change of scenery can do for an athlete.