When the Miami Heat signed Dion Waiters to a four-year contract last year, they expected him to play a significant role on the team for the duration of his deal with the team.
So far though, that hasn't quite been the case as he dealt with an ankle injury for most of the 2017-18 NBA season, and now there is doubt if he will even be ready for training camp.
“I've had conversations with Dion. He was hurt. He was playing hurt for a year and a half for the most part,” Pat Riley told Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. “I'm glad he had the surgery. I hope the surgery is 100 percent successful.”
Head coach Erik Spoelstra he made it very clear that Waiters won't be playing until he is 100 percent on his surgically repaired ankle. 95 percent isn't good enough, he has to be sitting at the 100 percent.
“I'm not sure when, but he's going to be more than 100 percent. If this was 100 percent this year, he's going to be better than that next year, that's for sure,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of his guard's rebuilt ankle. “I don't think he's felt right physically since when he first got here. He got in great shape, but once he injured his ankle, then he was always dealing with that.”
It's clear the Heat want him back, but this was a serious injury and Waiters health is going to come first. If the Heat has to wait a couple extra weeks or months to make sure he is 100 percent, they will do just that.
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