The Los Angeles Lakers’ case for Dion Waiters:
Pros:
- Playmaking ability
That playmaking ability that Caruso sometimes lacks is on display with Dion Waiters. Waiters is someone who could be the best player on the court for five-minute stretches while the subs are in and could swing an entire playoff game with great stretches.
We see it every year with guys off the bench — these guys can swing an entire series and Waiters is someone who, at his best, can do that.
- Facilitating ability
Not only can Waiters be a playmaker and create his own shot (as well as being a solid off-ball scorer) but he can also be a facilitator as well. Waiters slots in nicely at point guard as he could be the team’s secondary facilitator.
- Versatility
Perhaps Waiters’ biggest pro is that he is a really versatile player that can lineup with an array of players on the court. The team could have him out there as the second unit’s point guard, two-guard and can even be a solid asset if the team has three guards on the court at any given time, like what the Oklahoma City Thunder did with Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Cons:
- Redundant with Rajon Rondo
One of his pros also is one of his cons, which might not make a lot of sense. The discussion around Waiters is that he could have been a replacement as the team’s secondary facilitator instead of Rajon Rondo but with Bradley out, Rondo is certainly going to have to have a roll.
Thus, Waiters is a bit redundant with Rondo.
- His game shape
On paper, Waiters is a great addition that seems to be a more talented fit with the Lakers than Alex Caruso. However, he has the same issue as J.R. Smith in that he has not really had many valuable minutes recently.
Waiters has played a grand total of three games this season and has not played more than 50 games in a season since the 2015-16 season. That is a long time and to trust someone who has not yet played a single game with the Lakers, who also might not be in game shape, is a risky move.