2017 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Dion Waiters: 4 years, $52 million (Miami Heat)
Free agent guard Dion Waiters is finalizing a deal with the Miami Heat, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2017
Sources: Miami Heat and Dion Waiters are discussing a 4-year, $52 million deal.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 5, 2017
After striking out on Gordon Hayward, the Miami Heat turned their attention to their own free agents. After the Dion Waiters revelation last year, Pat Riley decided to lock him down with a four-year deal worth $13 million annually.
Considering that’s similar to what guys like Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, Zach Randolph and Tony Snell got, this is solid value for the Heat. Waiters was a huge part of Miami’s late-season surge, and his injury was an even bigger part of the team falling short of a playoff spot despite its 30-11 finish.
Waiters averaged 15.8 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game, shooting 39.5 percent from three-point range while building on a similarly eye-opening season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Waiters competes on the defensive end, has a penchant for taking and making big shots and paired well alongside Goran Dragic in the backcourt. In other words, it’s not surprising Waiters Island will remain just off the coast of South Beach.
Bourguet Grade: B-