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NBA: 3 Teams That Should Take A Chance On Dion Waiters

By Justin Rowan

May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (3) reacts during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (3) reacts during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers new head coach Nate McMillan and president of basketball operations Larry Bird speak to the press during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers new head coach Nate McMillan and president of basketball operations Larry Bird speak to the press during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Indiana Pacers

Year one of the Monta Ellis experiment in Indy was… awkward. Ellis is a very ball-dominant player and failed to co-exist with George Hill. While Hill has departed, a lot of those same issues will continue with new Pacer Jeff Teague.

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If the Pacers want to continue their youth movement, looking into Waiters — who brings much of what Ellis can bring — and moving on from Ellis might not be the worst decision.

Billy Donovan finally managed to break through into some of Waiters potential on the defensive end of the floor and while Waiters may not be as good offensively, he’s a younger, cheaper option than Ellis and still has some potential to improve.

The Pacers have $6,181,747 in cap space currently (via Spotrac as of July 20, 2016), and could free up more if need be by moving Ellis. That may not prove to be necessary, however, as the market for Waiters has been relatively cool in the days following the change of his status to unrestricted free agent.

Next: Brooklyn Nets