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Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Breaking down Dion Waiters vs. J.R. Smith

By Jason Reed

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat in action against the Boston Celtics during the first half at American Airlines Arena on January 28, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat in action against the Boston Celtics during the first half at American Airlines Arena on January 28, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The case for Dion Waiters:

Pro: He is more of a playmaker than J.R. Smith

While Dion Waiters has spent most of his career at the shooting guard position, he has the ability to take the ball up the court and serve as the team’s secondary playmaker when LeBron is off the court, if needed.

Right now, that role belongs to Rajon Rondo, who has not particularly been impressive this season. While Rondo is much more of a pure point guard than Waiters, in today’s NBA with shooters spread out around the court, Waiters could absolutely fill in 10 minutes at the point guard position.

He has only averaged 2.7 assists in his career, in large part to always playing the two, but Waiters himself has said that he prefers to play the point guard position.

Con: The potential headaches around Waiters

A big component of whether or not the Los Angeles Lakers sign Dion Waiters is if he can convince the team that he is 100 percent focused and will not be a distraction from the team.

He has had his past troubles, whether it be getting suspended by the Heat for posting on Instagram while missing practice or taking marijuana edibles on the team plane.

Waiters is also a former teammate of LeBron and he was quickly dealt out of Cleveland once LeBron returned, largely due to his playstyle not fitting on the Cavs as he did not embrace a three and D role.

Pro: Waiters can be a lethal shooter

Whether it be taking the ball up court with the second unit or being a three and D outlet option for LeBron James, Dion Waiters can shoot the basketball, especially when he is cooking.

Waiters has had some down years in terms of shooting the three-ball, such as 2017 when he shot only 30.8 percent. However, he has shot as high as 39.5 percent in a season, which was in 2016 with the Miami Heat.

If the best shooting version of Waiters shows up then he will shoot his way onto the playoff roster. Even if he shoots what he shot last season from beyond the arc, which was 37.7 percent, he can make an impact shooting the ball.

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