NBA Rumors: Waiters Shows Transparency, Admits Mistakes To Lakers

Dion Waiters underwent a workout Monday with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the 28-year-old guard needs to dig deep and show the purple and gold that he deserves that open roster spot created when Troy Daniels was waived. With a potential fresh start within reach, the fourth overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft wants to come clean, owning up to his mistakes and errors while he was with the Miami Heat.

Most know that Waiters has been on a rocky ride this 2019-20 NBA season. He already got suspended three times, mostly because of his own doing. For critics, these are distractions the Lakers do not need. The 6-foot-3 guard is aware of this and wanted to come clean according to a report by Shams Charania of The Athletic. It will be interesting if this will help his chances considering J.R. Smith is also in the equation.

For Waiters, the fact that he played some games this season could give him some sort of an edge. Though it was only three games, the fact remains that he is in playing condition. On the other side, Smith has not played since Nov. 19, 2018. Little has been known on how he has kept in shape, meaning it all depends on how both perform during the Monday workout.

Waiters played in just three games averaging 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and an assist. He is shooting 38.5 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from deep. Smith, on the other hand, has career averages of 41.9 percent from the field but only 37.3 percent from rainbow country per Basketball-Reference.com. Also worth noting is that Waiters is younger compared to Smith. If Waiters blends in well, he could be part of the Lakers roster moving forward. Smith is already 34 and his age could play a factor in how long he would stay if chosen.

But a key figure who could influence the fate of either player is LeBron James. He has played with both players in the past, ironically with the Cleveland Cavaliers. It all boils down to who between Waiters and Smith James can depend on during games. And obviously, it is all about who can shoot the ball better and last longer on the basketball floor.