NBA: Dion Waiters or JR Smith? Lakers to work out both after waiving Troy Daniels
The Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers will conduct work outs for Dion Waiters and JR Smith after waiving back-up shooter Troy Daniels recently.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin was the first to report about Waiters’ work out with the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers will work out free agent guard Dion Waiters on Monday, sources tell me and @wojespn. Waiters has career averages of 13.2 points and 2.8 assists in Cleveland, OKC and Miami. LAL opened up a roster spot by waiving guard Troy Daniels on Sunday.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 2, 2020
The Athletic’s Shams Charania, meanwhile, reported about Smith’s work outs. He added that Waiters’ work outs are done and that he is now meeting with the Lakers management.
Lakers have completed workout with free agent Dion Waiters and he had an impressive showing, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Next portion of Waiters' visit to the Lakers: Meeting with Frank Vogel, Rob Pelinka and Kurt Rambis.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 2, 2020
The Lakers’ LeBron James has been teammates with both Smith and Waiters. James won a championship with Smith as the starting shooting guard in 2016.
Ironically, Smith and Waiters were part of the same 3-team trade which saw Smith join the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015 and Waiters move to Oklahoma City.
The waiving of Daniels created a roster spot for the Lakers, who are still looking to add pieces to their bench.
Last week, they signed Markieff Morris after waiving the injured DeMarcus Cousins.
Smith had a sour relationship with the Cavaliers following the departure of James in 2018.
Waiters, meanwhile, had a handful of issues with the Miami Heat and was suspended by the team multiple times this season before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
He was then waived by the Grizzlies.