Los Angeles Lakers: Dion Waiters vs. JR Smith
The Los Angeles Lakers have an open roster position and recently held workouts with both J.R. Smith and Dion Waiters. Which player should the Lakers sign before the playoffs?
The Los Angeles Lakers have a big decision to make in the coming days and weeks as they prepare for the postseason. J.R. Smith vs. Dion Waiters.
The decision.
The Lakers championship hopes are resting upon their brain trust making the right one.
No, not really.
The Lakers, do, though, have an open roster spot to fill after waiving Troy Daniels on Sunday evening. It appears the two overwhelming favorites to be signed by the Lakers into that spot are guards J.R. Smith and Dion Waiters.
It was reported that the Lakers brought in both Waiters and Smith for workouts on Monday, March 2nd. The two workouts are said to have gone well, both players impressing the Lakers. Los Angeles is not expected to be in a rush to make their decision, however, and will take their time to determine which player is best for their championship aspirations.
Smith and Waiters each have prior connections to the current Lakers, as well. Smith played with LeBron James in Cleveland, winning a title together for the Cavaliers. The two had a connection, and Smith has come up huge in the playoffs, shooting a bit over 41 percent from 3-point range for his playoff career with James.
Dion Waiters briefly played with James but is currently signed to Klutch Sports, sharing an agent with both LeBron and Anthony Davis. Prior to that, Waiters’ agent was Rob Pelinka, current Lakers’ General Manager.
The two free agent guards aren’t all that dissimilar if you really consider it. They’re both just a little different. They’ve both made a few, uh, questionable decisions off the court, and each possesses that unique ability to get scorching hot or go painfully cold.
The Lakers, arguably, would improve from adding either man. Their roster only allows for one of them. Let’s take a look at the case for both Smith and Waiters and assess who should be the newest addition to the Lakers’ roster.