The Los Angeles Lakers are employing plan C after being shut out of the trade deadline and unable to court Darren Collison out of retirement.
As such, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst, the team is expected to have “exploratory conversations” with free-agent guard Dion Waiters. Waiters was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday despite having one more year under contract after this season.
Waiters was previously represented by Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and is currently represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports who is also the agent of Lakers players LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Waiters has had a tumultuous season this year, appearing in only three games for the Miami Heat before being traded in a move to acquire Andre Iguodala. The guard has battled injuries and was suspended by the Heat multiple times for different infractions.
The former Cleveland Cavaliers lottery pick was once a solid scorer, able to hit the 3-ball (34.8 percent for his career) and create his own shot. However, he has never been terribly efficient and is not much of a playmaker for others. He is also not a great defender.
ESPN reports that the Lakers will have a “feeling-out” process before making any decisions with Waiters, including waiting to see what other playmakers and lead guards could become available in the buyout market.
The Lakers are also reportedly looking to work out former LeBron teammate J.R. Smith in another attempt to secure a veteran player who could add some depth.
