NBA Champion Dion Waiters opens up about unceremonious exit from NBA: ‘It was my attitude, my character’

Dion Waiters, a first-round draft decide in 2012, needs to make an NBA comeback. Waiters has been out of the league the previous three seasons, however he just lately held a non-public exercise in Las Vegas.

A number of NBA scouts and executives attended Waiters’ exercise, the Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported. Waiters received an NBA title in his most up-to-date season within the league when he had a short seven-game stint with the Los Angeles Lakers contained in the NBA bubble.

Waiters, now 31, believes he nonetheless might be an efficient NBA participant.

“I am wholesome. I simply need that chance simply to indicate I am not who I as soon as was,” Waiters mentioned. “And I do know lots of people discuss that. However, for me, I feel it is extra about displaying that I’ve modified. That is why I am right here, man. I nonetheless received that love. I nonetheless received that itch.”

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Waiters additionally expressed confidence in his potential to contribute to a staff on the courtroom and within the locker room.

“I do know I can nonetheless assist a staff win on the highest stage on the courtroom and even within the locker room as a veteran presence. So, why not simply give it a go and simply see what occurs? You by no means know.”

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Waiters has had ups and downs, averaging 13.1 factors, 2.6 rebounds and a pair of.8 assists over his 10-year NBA profession.

After the Cleveland Cavaliers chosen Waiters with the No. 4 total draft decide, he performed for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the Miami Heat and the Lakers.

Waiters had a turbulent run with the Warmth through the 2019-20 season. He was suspended a number of instances over the course of the season. His rocky tenure with the Warmth ended when he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlieswas shortly waived after which signed with Los Angeles.

Dion Waiters (18) of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball towards the Portland Path Blazers in Sport 2 of the primary spherical of the NBA Playoffs Aug. 20, 2020, at AdventHealth Enviornment at ESPN Extensive World of Sports activities in Orlando, Fla. (Joe Murphy/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures)

Waiters expressed remorse when he spoke concerning the finish to his stint with Miami.

“I used to be so irresponsible and immature,” he mentioned. “I let the Warmth down. They have been good to me. I didn’t deal with it nicely in any respect.

“The issues that have been happening have been avoidable if I had simply shut the hell up and let my agent deal with numerous that stuff. And if I did that, we would not even be right here right now. I would nonetheless be enjoying. Every little thing occurs for a motive. I seemed myself within the mirror already, bro. I learn my rights. I learn my wrongs. And now I simply received to maintain pushing, shifting ahead and residing with the outcomes.”

Dion Waiters of the Miami Warmth in motion towards the LA Clippers through the first half at American Airways Enviornment Jan. 24, 2020, in Miami, Fla. (Michael Reaves/Getty Pictures)

Waiters additionally opened up about his struggles with depression and nervousness throughout his first 12 months away from basketball.

“After I stopped enjoying, nervousness kicked in,” Waiters mentioned. “I consistently nervous about what was subsequent.”

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Waiters faces a troublesome highway in his quest to return to the NBA. But when there may be staff in want of a veteran guard who can tackle a management position, Waiters would appear to suit the position.