Lakers roster questions: How should Dion Waiters be utilized?
Could Dion Waiters become another reclamation project like Dwight Howard? There are many similarities between both players. Howard and Waiters are talented players who have dealt with public criticism on their attitude, work ethic, and conditioning.
Perhaps LeBron James’s leadership along with a real shot at a title will give Waiters the drive to morph into a valuable contributor for the Lakers during the upcoming playoffs. If Waiters does transform into a model citizen, Frank Vogel should give him a prominent role in the Purple and Gold’s rotation.
The Lakers need Waiters’ skill set. Waiters has proven throughout his career that he’s a skilled offensive player and at 6-3, 215 pounds, a better-than-advertised defender when he’s engaged.
If you’re a real Lakers fan, you’re well aware that the Purple and Gold dominate when LeBron is on the court and struggle with our MVP hopeful on the bench. AD is a great player, perhaps even a top-five player, but he can’t carry a team by himself like LBJ or Kawhi Leonard, he needs help.
We saw throughout the year that Rondo, at his advanced age, was no longer capable of playing Robin to Davis’s Batman while LeBron took a breather. KCP’s 3-point shot improved, but he too isn’t the type of athlete who can bail out Davis when opposing squads double team him. We hoped Kuzma would be that kind of outlet, but he regressed this year.
That’s where Waiters steps in.
You’re going to hear many people screaming about how much the Lakers are going to miss Rajon Rondo. That always happens when a player gets injured.
In all likelihood, Rajon’s thumb injury will be a boon for the Lakers, because it leaves the door wide open for Dion Waiters to step up and help Anthony Davis, KCP, Kuzma, and Howard steady the second unit. If he plays well enough, Vogel may have to insert him into the closing unit, giving LA and added offensive kick that will make the Purple and Gold virtually unstoppable at the end of games.