The Los Angeles Lakers recently opened up a roster spot, and the general belief is that they have every intention of adding some reinforcement to help them with their title run. This might come in the form of free agent Dion Waiters, who reportedly worked out with the Lakers just this Monday.

He is facing competition in fellow veteran JR Smith, who also worked out with the Lakers on Monday. Both players come with their respective pros and cons, but here we will be examining exactly why the Lakers would benefit from bringing Waiters on board at this point in the season.

High Risk, High Reward

As far as risks go, the Lakers would definitely be taking a huge leap of faith if they decide to sign Waiters. The 28-year-old has had a tumultuous season with the Miami Heat before the team finally decided to part ways with him as part of the Andre Iguodala three-team deal. Waiters served no less than three team-sanctioned suspensions this season alone. He was suspended twice — for 10 games each — for conduct detrimental to the team in October and again in November. This was followed up by another five-game suspension in December  for his “failure to adhere to team policies, violation of team rules and continued insubordination.”

Waiters has had a troubled year, to say the least, and the Lakers are aware of the risks involved in signing him. He reportedly showed remorse for his actions during his Lakers meeting, so that's at least a start as he tries to earn a contract. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard is a huge risk, but the reward might just be worth it.

Unquestionable Talent

After impressing in his sophomore year at Syracuse, Waiters was selected fourth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The truth of the matter is that while he may not have been able to live up to the high expectations many had on him, Waiters is still an above-average talent in the NBA. In seven years in the league, he holds career averages of 13.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.9 steals while also connecting on 1.4 triples per game.

Efficiency has never been Waiters' strong suit (he is a career 41.2 percent shooter), but he is a bona-fide sharpshooter from distance. Last season, he actually averaged a career-best 2.5 triples for the Heat on a 37.7 percent clip, which proves that he can knock them down when given the opportunity. It's no secret that LeBron James thrives when he is surrounded by shooters, so adding Waiters to the mix doesn't sound like a bad idea at all in this respect.

Waiters can also provide a bit of scoring off the dribble and at least a little extra playmaking, which the Lakers could use off the bench.

Tenacity

Finally, Waiters' no-nonsense attitude seems like a perfect fit for a side like Los Angeles. Being the top seed in the West and considered as one of the favorites for the title this season, the Lakers have always had a target on their back. This is where a guy like Waiters and his second-to-none tenacity might come in handy. He is the type of player who could swing the momentum into his team's favor, and this is something the Lakers could use every now and again.

All in all, Waiters still has the tools to succeed on a high-profile team like the Lakers. So long as he brings the right attitude, he should do more good than harm, and he could prove to be an X-factor down the stretch if he comes aboard.