NBA: Los Angeles Lakers sign Dion Waiters to fill final roster spot
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Dion Waiters to fill their final roster spot for the remainder of the season.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania was first to break the development, adding that there should be results for this signing, or else, the Lakers may still release him.
Sources: Waiters, his agent Rich Paul and the Lakers had several conversations, they have been positive, and it's been made clear among all: This must work out for him — otherwise, Lakers reserve the option to release him. https://t.co/rGL3xlxFvo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 5, 2020
The Lakers had been choosing between Waiters and JR Smith, both shooting guards and both former teammates of their superstar, LeBron James.
Eventually, the Lakers decided to go with the 6-3 combo guard.
Waiters played only 3 games this season, owing to multiple suspensions imposed by the Miami Heat due to misbehavior, among other reasons.
The former Syracuse player averaged career lows in points and field goal percentage with 9.3 PPG on 38.5% shooting.
He last played on January 29 against the Boston Celtics.
It will be the 2nd time James and Waiters will team up, and now, the circumstances are different.
Waiters has improved his game since being traded to OKC in 2014 and playing for the Heat in the last few years.
However, some pundits say Smith is the better and more logical choice as he adds size and defense at the two spot on top of shooting.
Overall, Smith also has been the better James teammate as he was a starting SG for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers freed up roster spots after waiving DeMarcus Cousins and Troy Daniels. Aside from Waiters, they signed Markieff Morris.
