Recent Lakers rumors are that they have a second meeting with free agent Dion Waiters set.
As we get closer to the NBA Playoffs, recent Lakers rumors have been about whether or not the team will be looking to add new players.
Recently, the Lakers added Markieff Morris after he was bought out by the Detroit Pistons. In order to make room for Morris, the Lakers elected to waive DeMarcus Cousins.
This move made sense, as Cousins’ return to the basketball court was expected to be until in the playoffs at some time. However, a rusty Cousins trying to get back into basketball shape wouldn’t have helped the Lakers come playoff time.
While the addition of Morris was a good one for the Lakers, they might not be done. According to Chris Haynes, the Lakers also have meeting set up with Dion Waiters. Here’s what Haynes had to say with text via Silver Screen and Roll.
"“League sources have told me that free agent guard Dion Waiters will meet with the Lakers on March the 2nd. There is some familiarity with the Lakers and Dion. Dion used to be repped by Rob Pelinka, the General Manager and President of the Lakers, so, there’s that, and LeBron James also played with Dion in Cleveland.”"
There are a couple of important dates to know when it comes to players that have bought out. In order to play in the playoffs, a player must be available by March 1st. Since Waiters is already available, that isn’t an issue.
With the Lakers making a meeting with Waiters for after that March 1st deadline, it is a good indication that they aren’t in a rush to sign him.
The Lakers certainly would have liked to add a player like Darren Collison before he decided to stay retired. While Waiters isn’t the same type of player as Collison, he can be an effective playmaker.
With the month of February coming to an end, we will have to see if any other players get bought out. If so, the Lakers will likely gauge their interest in them. When March 1st passes, the Lakers at least have Waiters lined up for a meeting. From there, we will see if the Lakers want to shake things up and add him.