NBA Rumors: Heat Guard Won't Agree To Buyout, Pat Riley Tries To Bury Hatchet

KEY POINTS

Riley wants Waiters and Johnson to reintegrate themselves with the Heat
Waiters and Johnson could still end up being traded
Waiters will take no less than the money he is currently owed this season and next

The Miami Heat are performing well this 2019-20 NBA season, but there are issues from within. Two players who hold precarious futures are Dion Waiters and James Johnson. But it appears Heat president Pat Riley is trying to reintegrate the two cagers with the team's campaign.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Riley met with Waiters and Johnson. Citing league sources, it appears that instead of finding ways to deal with the two stars, the Miami president wants a fresh lease and get them into the system. This development is a big turnaround considering these are two players who were believed to be on the way out.

Of course, it still cannot be discounted that an NBA trade could happen. The NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 6 and both could suit up and perform. There is a possibility that the two could hit it well with the Heat, albeit draw interest from other teams wanting to beef up for the postseason wars. Miami technically has one month to show off the two stars and gain from the whole thing (in the form of wins).

The only thing certain is that buyouts are out of the question. Waiters is unwilling to go that route. In a report from the Miami Herald, the 28-year-old guard will not accept anything less than $12.1 million he is set to make this season and $12.7 million next NBA season.

Despite the belief that his playing career is on the line, Waiters seems confident that he has plenty to show. For now, he may get that chance with the Heat. Looking ahead, it will be interesting if any team would be willing to shell out that much for the fourth overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft.

As for Johnson, it may all be about staying in shape and getting his act together. Like Waiters, he has been missing from the Heat rotation in what is said to be due to "personal reasons."

The Heat could still pursue several players in the market. One name that has cropped up is the Jrue Holiday of the New Orleans Pelicans. Chris Paul of the Oklahoma City Thunder was the initial name being linked to the Heat but it appears this has been shot down. Much of this was discussed in a previous post.