The Memphis Grizzlies were arguably the most active team in the final hours of the 2020 trade deadline, shuffling multiple pieces across the league. However, while they did manage to acquire Dion Waiters from the Miami Heat, it seems they don't see him as part of their future.
According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Grizzlies are expected to either buy out Waiters' contract or release him outright.
Memphis Grizzlies do not plan to keep guard Dion Waiters with a buyout or release on the horizon, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 6, 2020
Waiters has had multiple well-documented suspensions handed down upon him this season by Miami, the most significant stemming from an incident in which he consumed THC-infused edibles on a team flight.
After initially being expected to contribute to Miami's rotation in a meaningful way at the start of the season, Waiters ultimately appeared in just three games and averaged 9.3 points across 14 minutes. But even that offensive production was not enough incentive for the organization to keep him around, especially with the team's depth in the backcourt.
It appeared well within possibility that the change of scenery would result to Waiters finding a significant role in the Grizzlies' second unit as they continue to make a push for the postseason. Nonetheless, the team has obviously opted to go in another direction.
The Heat had chosen not to buy Waiters out, although it was unclear if other teams around the league would have had interest in bringing him aboard if his current price tag wasn't attached.
Dion Waiters has averaged double figures in scoring in six of the past seven years, having proven himself to be a consistent scorer whether as a starter or a reserve. With just two-plus months left in the regular season, it remains to be seen if a team with playoff aspirations believes he is worthy of a roster spot.
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