Brooklyn Nets: Dion Waiters Should Be An Option

Despite the Brooklyn Nets missing out on big restricted free agents, Dion Waiters could be an option moving forward

After finishing the 2015-16 campaign with a 21-61 record, it was clear something needed to change for the Brooklyn Nets. The team was without a first-round draft pick in the 2016 draft, so a change through free agency was necessary.

The first move from general manager Sean Marks and company came in the form of former Charlotte Hornets point guard Jeremy Lin. The Nets inked the 27-year-old to a three-year, $36 million deal.

In attempt to bring in a running mate for Lin, the Nets made offers to restricted free agents Tyler Johnson and Allen Crabbe. Unfortunately for the team, the Miami Heat matched their four-year, $50 million deal on Johnson, and the Portland Trail Blazers matched Crabbe’s four-year, $75 million contract.

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After failing to bring in both Johnson and Crabbe, Marks told NBA TV that there is a “Plan B”.

"“We’ll go back at it again. There’s certainly a Plan B, and that’s in progress right now, which, again, we’re excited about. And we wish those guys all the best.” he said."

The Plan B that Marks is referring to could be Oklahoma City Thunder restricted free agent guard Dion Waiters. According to Wojnarowski, the Nets have given consideration to an offer to Waiters, and will evaluate it in the next few days.

Waiters, 24, was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the fourth pick in the 2013 NBA draft, and has averaged 12.8 points per game on 41 percent from the field during his career.

There is no doubt the potential as a scorer is there for Waiters; however, he has proven to be inconsistent throughout his four-year career. After failing to fit the role as a spot-up shooter in Cleveland, the Cavaliers traded Waiters to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he had the chance to make an impact off the bench.

In two seasons with the Thunder, Waiters averaged 10.9 points per game while shooting 39 percent from the field during the regular season, and 8.4 points per game on 41 percent shooting in the playoffs.

Waiters’ numbers may have suffered with the Thunder, as he played behind two of the league’s most efficient scorers in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. With the Nets, he would be given the chance to show his offensive versatility.

If the Nets were to bring in Waiters, he would join Lin and newly-acquired Greivis Vasquez in the backcourt. Waiters has spent his entire career playing next to a ball-dominant, score-first point guard, in both Kyrie Irving and Westbrook.

The transition to playing alongside somebody such as Lin, who doesn’t put points up quite like Irving and Westbrook, could be beneficial to Waiters, as he would have more opportunities to put the ball in the basket.

The Nets ranked 26th in the association last season when it came to scoring, averaging just 98.6 points per game last season, according to teamrankings.com. Bringing in Waiters would help increase that number.

One thing that may steer the Nets in a different direction is the fact the Waiters is a restricted free agent, meaning the Thunder will have the opportunity to match any offer the Nets make to Waiters. Oklahoma City traded Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Victor Oliadipo and others, so the need for Waiters in OKC is still up in the air. The last thing the Brooklyn Nets need is failing to land another restricted free agent.

Next: Worst Free Agent Contracts Signed This Summer

With a void at the shooting guard position in Brooklyn, Dion Waiters should be an option for the Nets. Despite some inconsistency problems, Waiters would provide a scoring presence in the Nets back court.

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