{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1991)}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Dion Waiters | image = Dion Waiters OCT 2015.jpg | caption = Waiters with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|12|10}} | birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lb = 210 | high_school = Life Center Academy<br />(Burlington, New Jersey) | college = Syracuse (2010–2012) | draft_year = 2012 | draft_round = 1 | draft_pick = 4 | draft_team = Cleveland Cavaliers | career_start = 2012 | career_end = 2020 | career_number = 3, 23, 11, 18 | career_position = Shooting guard | years1 = {{nbay|2012|start}}–{{nbay|2014|end}} | team1 = Cleveland Cavaliers | years2 = {{nbay|2014|end}}–{{nbay|2015|end}} | team2 = Oklahoma City Thunder | years3 = {{nbay|2016|start}}–{{nbay|2019|end}} | team3 = Miami Heat | years4 = {{nbay|2019|end}} | team4 = Los Angeles Lakers | highlights = * NBA champion ({{nbafy|2020}}) * NBA All-Rookie First Team ({{nbay|2012|end}}) * Third-team All-Big East (2012) * Big East Sixth Man of the Year (2012) * Second-team ''Parade'' All-American (2010) }} '''Dion Waiters Jr.''' (born December 10, 1991) is an American former professional basketball player who played 8 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 2012 to 2020. He played college basketball for the Syracuse Orange and was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Waiters also played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers, where his team won an NBA championship.
==Early life== Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Dion Waiters Sr. and Monique Brown, Waiters was raised by his mother, who had him when she was 17; his father was in jail at the time of his birth.<ref name=bleach>{{cite web|last=Swartz|first=Greg|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2008643-dion-waiters-is-finally-growing-up-before-our-very-eyes|title=Dion Waiters Is Finally Growing Up Before Our Very Eyes|work=BleacherReport.com|date=March 27, 2014|access-date=March 27, 2014}}</ref> Four hours after Waiters was born, his grandmother died.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thamel|first=Pete |author-link=Pete Thamel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/sports/ncaabasketball/newly-focused-syracuses-dion-waiters-thrives.html |title=Now, Syracuse Guard Restricts Clashes to the Court |work=The New York Times|date=March 23, 2012|access-date=March 23, 2012}}</ref> Waiters grew up playing basketball wherever he could, regardless of weather or time of day.<ref name="bleach" /> Away from basketball, his home life revolved around his mother and stepfather, James Barnes.<ref name="bleach" />
==High school career== As a freshman, Waiters attended Bartram High School and South Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia, but did not play basketball at either school.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131205235555/http://articles.philly.com/2012-06-29/sports/32458049_1_philadelphia-area-philadelphia-high-school-nba-draft Philly's Waiters can't wait to begin NBA career]</ref> Waiters committed to Syracuse during the summer after his freshman year despite not having played a minute of high school basketball.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/highschool/rise/basketball/boys/news/story?id=4713319 Tragedy can't define Dion Waiters]</ref> In his sophomore year of high school, Waiters attended South Kent School. Waiters then played basketball at Life Center Academy his junior and senior years. Following his senior year, Waiters was ranked as the 15th best overall recruit according to ESPNU and ranked as the No. 2 best shooting guard in the ESPN 100. Waiters was also ranked as the 29th best overall recruit by Rivals.com.<ref name=syracuseprofile />
==College career==
===Freshman season=== thumb|Waiters with Syracuse in January 2012 In his freshman season at Syracuse, Waiters averaged 6.6 points, 1.5 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game.<ref name=stats>{{cite web|title=Dion Waiters Stats|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/dion-waiters-1.html|work=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=June 19, 2012}}</ref> In a second round loss to Marquette in the NCAA Tournament, Waiters shot 8-for-10 with 18 points.<ref name=syracuseprofile>{{cite web|title=Dion Waiters - 2011-12 Men's Basketball|url=http://cuse.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7773|work=Cuse.com|access-date=June 19, 2012}}</ref>
===Sophomore season=== In his sophomore season at Syracuse, Waiters averaged 12.6 points, 2.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game.<ref name=stats /> He was named the Big East Conference Sixth Man of the Year, earned third-team All-Big East honors, was named AP Honorable Mention All-American, and was selected to the All-Big East Tournament team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lamb Named AP Honorable Mention All-America|url=http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/032712aab.html|work=uconnhuskies.com|date=March 27, 2012|access-date=June 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514015101/http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/032712aab.html|archive-date=May 14, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Professional career==
===Cleveland Cavaliers (2012–2015)=== thumb|upright|Waiters with Cavaliers in November 2012 Waiters was selected fourth overall in the 2012 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers despite choosing not to work out for any teams before the draft. This was a choice he made after receiving a promise from a team in the middle of the lottery that they would draft him if available. Many scouts also found it a surprise that Waiters was drafted so high because he did not start in college and played zone defense at Syracuse.
On January 14, 2013, Waiters scored a career-high 33 points against the Sacramento Kings, doing so on 12-of-18 shooting.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20130114/CLESAC/gameinfo.html |title=Notebook: Kings 124, Cavaliers 118 |website=NBA.com |access-date=2013-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315011456/http://www.nba.com/games/20130114/CLESAC/gameinfo.html |archive-date=2017-03-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Waiters was selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge game during 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend, along with teammates Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and Tyler Zeller.<ref>[https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/2/15/3971642/2013-nba-rising-stars-rookie-sophomore-game-rosters-team-shaq NBA Rising Stars Challenge 2013 rosters: Get ready to run like mad, Team Shaq]</ref> Waiters came off the bench to score 23 points for Team Shaq. Throughout his rookie season, Waiters both started and came off the bench for the Cavaliers. He was consistently bothered by a sprained ankle and loose cartilage in his knee, forcing him to miss 21 games over the year.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/9071968/dion-waiters-cleveland-cavaliers-need-knee-surgery Dion Waiters out with a knee injury]</ref>
After his rookie season, Waiters was graded as the fourth-best overall rookie by NBA.com and placed fifth in NBA Rookie of the Year voting with 21 points.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/01/kia-rookie-of-the-year-lillard/ |title=Portland's Lillard named 2012-13 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year |website=NBA.com |access-date=2013-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118231137/http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/01/kia-rookie-of-the-year-lillard/ |archive-date=2018-01-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On February 14, 2014, Waiters participated in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge. He finished the game with 31 points and 7 assists.
On March 18, 2014, Waiters recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and a career-high 11 assists in a loss to the Miami Heat.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20140318/MIACLE/gameinfo.html |title=Notebook: Heat 100, Cavaliers 96 |website=NBA.com |access-date=2014-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220095704/http://www.nba.com/games/20140318/MIACLE/gameinfo.html |archive-date=2015-02-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On November 5, 2014, Waiters was absent for the U.S. national anthem and was quoted saying that he stayed in the locker room because of his Muslim faith. He later stated that the report about his religious beliefs having anything to do with him skipping the national anthem was entirely false.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Peters|first1=Micah|title=Dion Waiters says he skipped anthem because of his Muslim faith, then blasts report|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/11/nba-dion-waiters-national-anthem-muslim|work=USA Today Sports|date=8 November 2014|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112160945/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/11/nba-dion-waiters-national-anthem-muslim|archive-date=12 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Pollakoff|first1=Brett|title=Dion Waiters calls report he skipped national anthem due to being Muslim 'a damn lie'|url=http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/08/dion-waiters-calls-report-he-skipped-national-anthem-due-to-being-muslim-a-damn-lie/|website=nbcsports.com|date=8 November 2014|publisher=NBC Sports|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109034208/http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/08/dion-waiters-calls-report-he-skipped-national-anthem-due-to-being-muslim-a-damn-lie/|archive-date=9 November 2014}}</ref>
===Oklahoma City Thunder (2015–2016)=== On January 5, 2015, Waiters was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder from the Cavaliers in a three-team trade that also involved the New York Knicks. Cleveland received Iman Shumpert and J. R. Smith from the Knicks and a first-round pick in the 2015 NBA draft from the Thunder, while Cleveland sent Lou Amundson, Alex Kirk, and a second-round pick in the 2019 NBA draft to the Knicks, and the Thunder sent Lance Thomas to the Knicks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thunder Acquires Dion Waiters|url=http://www.nba.com/thunder/news/release_waiters_150105|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.|date=January 5, 2015|access-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref> After a poor debut for the Thunder against the Sacramento Kings on January 7 where he scored 4 points on 1-of-9 shooting, he scored 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting two days later to help the Thunder defeat the Utah Jazz, 99–94.<ref>{{cite web|title=Durant leads Thunder past Jazz 99-94|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150109/UTAOKC/gameinfo.html|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.|date=January 9, 2015|access-date=January 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314180539/http://www.nba.com/games/20150109/UTAOKC/gameinfo.html|archive-date=March 14, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> On April 15, 2015, in the team's final game of the season, Waiters tied his career-high with 33 points in a 138–113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/thunder/recap_timberwolves_150415 Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves Game Recap – April 15, 2015]</ref>
Waiters garnered a bench role for the Thunder in 2015–16 under new head coach Billy Donovan. He started in just two games for the team over the first half of the season, playing back up to André Roberson. On November 10, 2015, he scored a season-high 25 points in a 125–101 win over the Washington Wizards.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waitedi01/gamelog/2016/ Dion Waiters 2015-16 Game Log]</ref> With a knee injury to Roberson in late January, Donovan entrusted Waiters with stepping up to a starting role. On January 26, in his first start since November 22, Waiters scored 14 points in a 128–122 overtime win over the New York Knicks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160126/OKCNYK/gameinfo.html |title=Durant scores season-high 44, Thunder beat Knicks in OT |website=NBA.com |access-date=2016-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128044606/http://www.nba.com/games/20160126/OKCNYK/gameinfo.html |archive-date=2016-01-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He returned to the bench on February 24 following Roberson's return from injury.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayberry|first=Darnell|url=http://newsok.com/article/5480921|title=Oklahoma City Thunder: Andre Roberson returning to the starting lineup|work=NewsOK.com|date=February 24, 2016|access-date=February 25, 2016}}</ref> On April 6, he tied his season-high with 25 points in a 120–115 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160406/OKCPOR/gameinfo.html|title=Trail Blazers defeat Thunder 120-115, clinch playoff berth|work=NBA.com|date=April 6, 2016|access-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408140231/http://www.nba.com/games/20160406/OKCPOR/gameinfo.html|archive-date=April 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In Game 2 of the Thunder's semi-final series against the San Antonio Spurs, with San Antonio trailing 98–97 with 13.5 seconds remaining and Oklahoma City out of timeouts, Waiters elbowed Spurs guard Manu Ginóbili to get the space needed to inbound the ball.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160502/OKCSAS/gameinfo.html|title=Thunder hold on beat Spurs 98-97, even series at 1-1|work=NBA.com|date=May 2, 2016|access-date=May 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503085630/http://www.nba.com/games/20160502/OKCSAS/gameinfo.html|archive-date=May 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the game, Waiters and the referees were highly scrutinized by the public and media personnel.<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Donnell|first=Ricky|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/5/3/11575276/dion-waiters-elbows-manu-ginobili-spurs-thunder-game-2|title=Dion Waiters elbows Manu Ginobili from out of bounds, gets away with it|work=SBNation.com|date=May 2, 2016|access-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref>
On June 27, 2016, the Thunder tendered a qualifying offer to make Waiters a restricted free agent. However, on July 18, the Thunder rescinded their qualifying offer, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ingrassia|first=Nunzio|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/oklahoma-city-thunder-dion-waiters-free-agent-071816|title=Thunder reportedly rescind offer to Dion Waiters, making him a free agent|work=FoxSports.com|date=July 18, 2016|access-date=July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-thunder-reportedly-rescinded-qualifying-123740608.html|title=Why the Thunder reportedly rescinded their qualifying offer to G Dion Waiters|work=Yahoo.com|date=July 19, 2016|access-date=July 19, 2016}}</ref>
===Miami Heat (2016–2020)=== thumb|right|Waiters with the Heat in November 2016 On July 26, 2016, Waiters signed with the Miami Heat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-dion-waiters|title=HEAT Signs Dion Waiters|work=NBA.com|date=July 26, 2016|access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> He made his debut for the Heat in their season opener on October 26 against the Orlando Magic. In 34 minutes as a starter, he recorded nine points, six rebounds and four assists in a 108–96 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/boxscore?gameId=400899378|title=Heat vs. Magic – Box Score|work=ESPN.com|date=October 26, 2016|access-date=November 1, 2016}}</ref> On November 26, he scored a then season-high 28 points in a 110–107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400899693|title=Conley's late flurry lifts Grizzlies over Heat, 110-107|work=ESPN.com|date=November 26, 2016|access-date=November 27, 2016}}</ref> Four days later, he was ruled out for two weeks after an MRI revealed he had suffered a Pectineus tear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news/waiters-suffers-pectineus-tear|title=Waiters Suffers Pectineus Tear|work=NBA.com|date=November 30, 2016|access-date=November 30, 2016}}</ref> He returned to action on January 4, 2017, against the Sacramento Kings after missing 20 straight games.<ref>{{cite web|last=Winderman|first=Ira|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-dion-waiters-s010517-story.html|title=Next challenge for Heat is finding role for Waiters in crowded backcourt|work=Sun-Sentinel.com|date=January 5, 2017|access-date=January 7, 2017}}</ref> On January 21, he tied a career-high with 33 points in a 109–97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900076|title=Dion Waiters scores 33 to help Heat beat Bucks 109-97|work=ESPN.com|date=January 21, 2017|access-date=January 22, 2017}}</ref> Two days later, he made a three-pointer with 0.6 seconds left to cap his second-straight 33-point effort, as he lifted the Heat to a 105–102 win over the Golden State Warriors. He finished the game with six three-pointers on eight attempts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900089|title=Waiters for the win: Heat stun Warriors, 105-102|work=ESPN.com|date=January 23, 2017|access-date=January 24, 2017}}</ref> On January 30, 2017, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, January 23 through Sunday, January 29. Waiters led the Heat to a 4–0 week as Miami extended its winning streak to seven games. He averaged 23.3 points (tied for eighth in the East), 5.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/01/30/dion-waiters-demarcus-cousins-nba-players-week|title=Dion Waiters, DeMarcus Cousins named NBA Players of the Week|work=NBA.com|date=January 30, 2017|access-date=January 31, 2017}}</ref> Waiters missed the final 13 games of the season with an ankle injury, as the Heat missed a playoff spot with a ninth-seed finish and a 41–41 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900599|title=Win and stay home: Heat beat Wizards 110-102, miss playoffs|work=ESPN.com|date=April 12, 2017|access-date=April 13, 2017}}</ref>
On July 7, 2017, Waiters re-signed with the Heat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-re-signs-dion-waiters|title=HEAT Re-Signs Dion Waiters|work=NBA.com|date=July 7, 2017|access-date=July 7, 2017}}</ref> On October 30, 2017, he tied his career high with 33 points in a 125–122 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400974844|title=Minnesota hangs on in overtime, tops Miami 125-122|work=ESPN.com|date=October 30, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2017}}</ref> In January 2018, his long-problematic left ankle forced him to the sidelines indefinitely,<ref>{{cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Tim|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2018/01/11/report-miami-heat-dion-waiters-have-season-ending-surgery#/|title=Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters to have ankle surgery|work=NBA.com|date=January 11, 2018|access-date=February 13, 2018}}</ref> and on January 22, he underwent successful surgery to repair instability in the left ankle. A preexisting navicular bone fracture was also repaired.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news-dion-waiters-undergoes-surgery|title=Dion Waiters Undergoes Surgery|work=NBA.com|date=January 23, 2018|access-date=February 13, 2018}}</ref>
On December 28, 2018, Waiters was sent to Miami's NBA G League affiliate team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, for a rehabilitation assignment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chiang|first=Anthony|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article223663365.html|title=The next step in Heat's Dion Waiters' journey back from ankle surgery? Time in G League|work=miamiherald.com|date=December 28, 2018|access-date=December 29, 2018}}</ref> On January 2, 2019, he made his return for the Heat, scoring seven points in six minutes in a 117–92 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was his first game since December 22, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071231|title=Richardson leads Wade-less Heat past Cavaliers, 117-92|work=ESPN.com|date=January 2, 2019|access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref> Far from 100 percent fit, he played the game due to Dwyane Wade being sidelined by a virus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071263|title=Young, Collins power undermanned Hawks past Heat|work=ESPN.com|date=January 6, 2019|access-date=January 6, 2019|quote=Waiters, who played that game because Wade was sidelined by a virus, is still limited by a sore left ankle that required surgery last January.}}</ref> His second game of the season came on January 8, scoring a team-high 15 points in a 103–99 loss to the Denver Nuggets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071277|title=Jokic has triple-double, Nuggets top Heat 103-99|work=ESPN.com|date=January 8, 2019|access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref>
On October 19, 2019, Waiters was suspended for Miami's 2019–20 season debut game for "conduct detrimental to the team."<ref>[https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2858899-dion-waiters-reportedly-to-be-suspended-for-heat-season-opener-possibly-longer Heat's Dion Waiters Suspended 1 Game for Conduct Detrimental to Team]</ref> On November 8, Waiters missed a game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a panic attack he experienced while flying to the game. His panic attack stemmed from over-consumption of THC-infused edibles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/heat-guard-dion-waiters-missed-game-vs-lakers-with-panic-attack-reportedly-caused-by-marijuana-edibles/|title=Heat guard Dion Waiters missed game vs. Lakers with panic attack, reportedly caused by marijuana edibles|work=cbssports.com|date=November 9, 2019|access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> Two days later, the Heat suspended Waiters for 10 games, including the previous game he missed, for the consumed edible.<ref>[https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-statement-on-dion-waiters-191110 Heat Statement on Dion Waiters]</ref> On December 12, the Heat suspended him again, this time for six games, for calling in to work with an illness, then posting a picture of himself on his Instagram page on a boat celebrating his birthday.<ref>[https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1205324631843966982 Marc Stein on Twitter: "The Heat have suspended Dion Waiters again ... this time for continued insubordination..."]</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Dion Waiters found a way to almost top his THC edibles suspension |date=2019-12-16 |website=New York Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716115325/https://nypost.com/2019/12/16/dion-waiters-found-a-way-to-almost-top-his-thc-edibles-suspension/ |archive-date=2023-07-16 |url-status=live |url=https://nypost.com/2019/12/16/dion-waiters-found-a-way-to-almost-top-his-thc-edibles-suspension/}}</ref> On January 24, 2020, Waiters made his season debut scoring 14 points in a 122–117 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/dion-waiters-nearly-leads-heat-to-double-digit-comeback-vs-clippers-scoring-14-points-in-season-debut/|title=Dion Waiters nearly leads Heat to double-digit comeback vs. Clippers, scoring 14 points in season debut|work=cbssports.com|date=January 24, 2020|access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref>
On February 6, 2020, Waiters was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team trade also involving the Minnesota Timberwolves<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/memphis-grizzlies-acquire-justise-winslow-gorgui-dieng-and-dion-waiters-in-three-team-trade-with-miami-heat-and-minnesota-timberwolves-200206|title=Memphis Grizzlies acquire Justise Winslow, Gorgui Dieng and Dion Waiters in three-team trade with Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves|work=NBA.com|date=February 6, 2020|access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> and three days later, he was waived by the Grizzlies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/memphis-grizzlies-waive-dion-waiters-200209|title=Memphis Grizzlies waive Dion Waiters|date=February 9, 2020|website=NBA.com|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref>
===Los Angeles Lakers (2020)=== On March 6, 2020, Waiters signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lakers Sign Dion Waiters |url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/lakers-sign-dion-waiters |website=NBA.com |access-date=March 10, 2020 |date=March 6, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Dion Waiters signs with Lakers |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28845675/dion-waiters-finalizing-deal-join-lakers |website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 6, 2020 |date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> On July 30, 2020, he made his Lakers debut in a 103–101 win against the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 11 points.
The Lakers went on to make the 2020 NBA Finals, facing the Miami Heat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/dion-waiters-is-getting-a-ring-even-if-the-lakers-lose-in-the-nba-finals-191440702.html|title = Dion Waiters is getting a ring even if the Lakers lose in the NBA Finals}}</ref> The Lakers beat the Heat in 6 games to give Waiters his first championship.
On August 8, 2023, the Golden State Warriors held a free agent workout with Waiters.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=ShamsCharania |number=1689068243040755712 |title=The Warriors are holding free-agent workouts with veterans Dion Waiters, Tony Snell, Kent Bazemore, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Harry Giles and Trey Burke at facility over next two weeks, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. GS has multiple round of workouts to identify signings.}}</ref>
== Hiatus == Waiters' most recent professional stint was in the 2019–20 NBA season, before taking a break for three years. During his hiatus, he suffered from depression. On July 13, 2023, he held a private workout in front of NBA scouts at the Victoria Fertitta Middle School, for a chance to re-join the league.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haynes |first=Chris |title='It Was My Attitude, My Character': Dion Waiters Gets Real About NBA Exit |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10082365-it-was-my-attitude-my-character-dion-waiters-gets-real-about-nba-exit |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y}}
===NBA=== ====Regular season==== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2012}} | style="text-align:left;"|Cleveland | 61 || '''48''' || 28.8 || .412 || .310 || .746 || 2.4 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .3 || 14.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2013}} | style="text-align:left;"|Cleveland | 70 || 24 || 29.6 || '''.433''' || .368 || .685 || 2.8 || 3.0 || .9 || .2 || '''15.9''' |- | style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2014}} | style="text-align:left;"|Cleveland | 33 || 3 || 23.8 || .404 || .256 || .783 || 1.7 || 2.2 || '''1.3''' || .3 || 10.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2014}} | style="text-align:left;"|Oklahoma City | 47 || 20 || 30.3 || .392 || .319 || .625 || 2.9 || 1.9 || 1.0 || .2 || 12.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2015}} | style="text-align:left;"|Oklahoma City | '''78''' || 15 || 27.6 || .399 || .358 || .713 || 2.6 || 2.0 || 1.0 || .2 || 9.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2016}} | style="text-align:left;"|Miami | 46 || 43 || 30.1 || .423 || .395 || .646 || 3.3 || '''4.3''' || .9 || .4 || 15.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2017}} | style="text-align:left;"|Miami | 30 || 30 || '''30.6''' || .398 || .306 || .739 || 2.6 || 3.8 || .8 || .3 || 14.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2018}} | style="text-align:left;"|Miami | 44 || 28 || 25.9 || .414 || .377 || .500 || 2.6 || 2.8 || .7 || .2 || 12.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2019}} | style="text-align:left;"|Miami | 3 || 0 || 14.0 || .385 || '''.471''' || .000 || '''3.7''' || 1.0 || .0 || '''.7''' || 9.3 |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"|{{nbay|2019}}† | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 7 || 0 || 23.6 || .425 || .233 || '''.875''' || 1.9 || 2.4 || .6 || .6 || 11.9 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career | 419 || 211 || 28.2 || .412 || .346 || .694 || 2.6 || 2.8 || .9 || .3 || 13.1 {{s-end}}
====Playoffs==== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;"|2016 | style="text-align:left;"|Oklahoma City | '''18''' || 0 || '''27.3''' || '''.417''' || '''.375''' || .667 || '''2.6''' || '''2.3''' || '''.6''' || '''.2''' || '''8.4''' |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"|2020† | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 5 || 0 || 7.6 || .333 || .000 || '''1.000''' || .4 || .4 || .2 || '''.2''' || 2.0 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career | 23 || 0 || 23.0 || .410 || .350 || .688 || 2.1 || 1.9 || .5 || .2 || 7.0 {{s-end}}
===College=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;"|2010–11 | style="text-align:left;"|Syracuse | 34 || 0 || 16.3 || .411 || .329 || '''.813''' || 1.6 || 1.5 || 1.1 || .1 || 6.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|2011–12 | style="text-align:left;"|Syracuse | '''37''' || 0 || '''24.1''' || '''.476''' || '''.363''' || .729 || '''2.3''' || '''2.5''' || '''1.8''' || '''.3''' || '''12.6''' |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career | 71 || 0 || 20.4 || .453 || .348 || .753 || 1.9 || 2.0 || 1.5 || .2 || 9.7 {{s-end}}
==Awards== * Second-team ''Parade'' All-American (2010) * Jordan Brand All-American (2010) * Big East Sixth Man of the Year (2012) * Third-team All-Big East (2012) * Big East All-Tournament Team (2012) * NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (February 2013)<ref>[http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/waiters-pom-130301 Waiters Named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month]</ref> * NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013) * 2× NBA Rising Star (2013, 2014) * NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week (January 23–29, 2017)<ref>[http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-dion-waiters-s013017-story.html Dion Waiters becomes Miami Heat's first NBA Player of the Week in a year]</ref> * NBA Champion (2020)
==See also== * List of people banned or suspended by the NBA
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons}} {{basketballstats|nba=203079|bbr=w/waitedi01}} * [http://cuse.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7773 Syracuse Orange bio] * {{Twitter}}
{{2012 NBA draft}} {{Los Angeles Lakers 2019–20 NBA champions}} {{Portal bar|Sports}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Waiters, Dion}} Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:African-American Muslims Category:American men's basketball players Category:Basketball players from Philadelphia Category:Cleveland Cavaliers draft picks Category:Cleveland Cavaliers players Category:Doping cases in basketball Category:Life Center Academy alumni Category:Los Angeles Lakers players Category:Miami Heat players Category:Muslims from Pennsylvania Category:Oklahoma City Thunder players Category:Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball) Category:Shooting guards Category:South Kent School alumni Category:Syracuse Orange men's basketball players