The Los Angeles Lakers met with both Dion Waiters and J.R. Smith on Monday, according to multiple reports. With an open roster spot created by waiving Troy Daniels, the Lakers may sign one of the two veteran guards to shore up their depth heading into the postseason.
The meeting process seems to be important to the Lakers, particularly in the case of Waiters. Waiters played just three games for the Miami Heat this year before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and getting bought out. That was partially due to injuries and not being in the rotation but it was also affected by the guard being suspended for three separate incidents for a total of 17 games.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, those suspensions were a topic of conversation for the Lakers in their meeting. Waiters allegedly “owned up” to those mistakes and informed the Lakers’ brass which consisted of Rob Pelinka, Frank Vogel and Kurt Rambis about the events that led to them.
"I'm told Waiters owned up to his mistakes and errors in Miami"
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on Lakers visits for Dion Waiters and J.R. Smith on Monday. pic.twitter.com/3YwsLyLMVr
— Stadium (@Stadium) March 3, 2020
The Lakers have placed a lot of importance on their team chemistry all year. Players and coaches have attributed the team’s success to the chemistry in the locker room and on the floor. They have also had major success in signing another veteran who was thought of as a head case in Dwight Howard over the summer. Should the team go after Waiters, they will hope for a similar bounce back.
