1. Dion Waiters is more versatile
J.R. Smith brings exactly what you need on paper to be a productive role player alongside LeBron James. He is a three and D player at heart and does not need the ball in his hand to be successful. He can play defense and be an off-ball three-point threat. He seemingly fits in perfectly (however, his talent level is not all there, we will get to that later).
On the contrary, things about Dion Waiters’ game seem to contradict LeBron James. Waiters can handle the basketball and take up the role of being a facilitator, something that is not needed with LeBron on the court or even Rajon Rondo.
Ironically, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Waiters in January 2015 in a trade that included Smith going to Cleveland. Smith was a better fit alongside James.
However, it is Waiters’ versatility that makes him a more valuable asset to the Lakers. The Lakers already have several guys, most notably KCP and Green, that fit into that three and D role.
Waiters can also hold his own shooting the three-point shot. He is shooting 36.8 percent from beyond the arc over the last three seasons and shot over 37 percent in 2016 and 2018.
Waiters is just as capable of an off-ball threat at J.R. Smith and he adds a completely different dynamic to his game that Smith does not even have.