Dion Waiters is a proven player who can light it up on any team if he is given the proper playing time and opportunity. He was once seen as a promising player back when he was with Cleveland Cavaliers, but all that, apparently, vanished when Lebron James came back to Cleveland.
With James back, Waiters was displaced and the drop in numbers were proof of that. And as expected, he was soon sent packing, and the team he ended up with was the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the Thunder, Waiters finds himself in the company of two established National Basketball Association (NBA) stars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. But unlike in Cleveland, he doesn't have to jockey for playing time since he has a good lock on the off guard position.
Right now, it is unfair to weigh his capabilities, especially since he hardly had enough time to blend in with the Thunder. But heading into the 2015–16 NBA season, he is expected to be fully prepared and once again come out with guns ablaze.
The Thunder know Waiters and his value; apparently, this is one reason why they are trying to secure his services before the contract extension talks Nov. 2 deadline. He is seen as a vital cog for the Thunder, another arsenal that should be a big help to Durant and Westbrook.
Standing in the way is that looming salary cap hike happening in 2016, which could somehow derail his decision. Like other players who are holding out, Waiters knows that he can get good pay if he waits out.
If both sides fail to come with a deal, Waiters will end up as an unrestricted free agent and negotiate for a better deal next Summer.
Hence, the Thunder may want to do the math right now to convince Waiters to sign. It remains to be seen if Waiters will bite or pass on the ongoing contract extension talks.
