The Dion Waiters saga continues for the Miami Heat.
Waiters posted a cryptic message on Instagram yesterday, but Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported he is still with the Heat for Sunday afternoon's game against the New York Knicks:
Dion Waiters posted this on social media on Saturday.
The Heat did not respond when I asked if he is still with the team in New York. pic.twitter.com/6DNrD7b6hE
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) January 12, 2020
For those asking about what they may have seen on Dion Waiters' social media: He is still with team, was at this morning's team meeting today here in New York and will be with the team for the 3:30 p.m. game vs. the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. He has yet to play this season.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) January 12, 2020
Waiters has been cleared for action after serving a number of suspensions, but he has yet to take the floor for the Heat this season.
This season has not gone as planned for the 28-year-old. Waiters reportedly worked hard to drop weight and improve his conditioning this past summer, but he was suspended for “conduct detrimental” to the team back in October. Waiters was suspended once again when he passed out on a team plane after reportedly ingesting a gummy laced with THC.
Heat president Pat Riley recently asked for a meeting with Waiters and James Johnson, though Riley reportedly told the pair the Heat would be “reintegrating” them soon (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald):
The Heat is not permitting Waiters to speak to reporters until he appears in a game this season, but Johnson confirmed the meeting — which was first reported by The Athletic — and said Riley essentially spoke of reintegrating both players with the team.
“It was just the three of us,” Johnson said. “It was heartfelt, all encouragement. He’s got our back. That meeting was one of our new leaf-turners. It was an eye opener but also a relief.”
What Riley could not promise was playing time, because that’s coach Erik Spoelstra’s decision, and Riley doesn’t intervene in such matters.
Until he takes the floor, however, Waiters' status remains somewhat of an unknown.
The Heat have thrived this season thanks in part to the emergence of the likes of Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson, as well as the outstanding play of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Might Miami still look to move Waiters ahead of the February deadline? It is certainly possible, though it could be tough to find a trade partner considering Waiters still has another year and $12.65 million on his current deal. The recent antics certainly do not help matters.
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