Dec 28, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters (3) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports Could Dion Waiters be headed home to Philadelphia?
Here’s what he know: 1) Yesterday the Oklahoma City Thunder renounced their rights to restricted free agent Dion Waiters, making him an unrestricted free agent. 2) Late last night, Waiters posted an Instagram video with the hashtag “TrustTheProcess”, this is a phrase that’s been used in Philadelphia throughout their entire rebuild.
It’s also worth noting that Waiters was born and raised in Philadelphia.
How well he fits is a question worth exploring. New General Manager Bryan Colangelo has done an admirable job of showing restraint during his time with the team. He’s preached the merits of maintaining cap flexibility and not selling away the future for a short-term fix.
Aiming to acquire a top 5 pick in the NBA Draft, Colangelo balked at the absurd demands made on draft night and stuck with what he had.
During free agency, shown similar restraint, opting for low-risk, low-cost deals like Jerryd Bayless (3 years, $27 million), Gerald Henderson (2 years, $18 million) and Sergio Rodriguez (1 year, $6.8 million) instead of overpaying someone on a huge long-term deal.
So if the team is interested in Waiters, you’d have to think it would be on a similar type of contract. Either 1 year with a team option for a second or a slightly bigger 3 year deal, with the third being a team option. It’s hard to see them being interested on a longer deal with a player who hasn’t garnered much interest in free agency.
How does he fit?
Well… alright, I guess.
Waiters has a reputation as a gunner, but it’s somewhat unwarranted. Ignoring his first two seasons in the NBA (when he was a high draft pick, coming in with big expectations), he hasn’t shot the ball all that much. Now, it’s also worth pointing out that he also hasn’t shot the ball well from the field since leaving the Cavs. Over his last two seasons, he shot only 39%.
The one saving grace is that Waiters did shoot almost 36% from three-point land last year. A number that could help a 76ers team that’s searching for outside shooting.
Should the 76ers make a deal with Dion Waiters? Sure, why not. As long as it’s a reasonable contract, both in terms of years and money.
