The Miami Heat have reinstated shooting guard Dion Waiters, but the veteran wing will remain inactive for Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra was succinct when asked about Waiters on Tuesday.
“He will work out, he will not be active and then we'll take it from there,” Spoelstra said after morning practice.
Waiters was initially suspended Oct. 19 for conduct detrimental to the team, only one day after he expressed his displeasure with his scarce playing time during the preseason finale against the Houston Rockets. Players like rookies Tyler Herro (14 points in 32 minutes) and Kendrick Nunn (40 points in 40 minutes) played more than the veteran guard, who logged only 10 minutes and recorded a minus-10 during his outing.
Heat president Pat Riley said his choice to speak out about it was “unprofessional” and noted it was one of many incidents that led to his suspension. The Heat have also had this same story play out with former center Hassan Whiteside, who also struggled to get on the court in Spoelstra's system.
Waiters could also lose $1 million in incentives for playing 70 games this season, but even if he does by the end of November, the Heat won't get any salary cap relief, given that bonuses are not calculated until the end of the season, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks.
“Enough's been said about it,” said Spoelstra, refusing to say any more about the exiled guard. “We'll take it day by day.”
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