Dion Waiters has missed the last ten games for the Miami Heat and it is not known when he will be back. Waiters became one of the best Heat players and the team hasn't been able to achieve good results without him. Recently, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra commented about Waiters' injury, saying that he is still day-to-day.
One positive thing that Spoelstra said is that Dion Waiters is making good progress. However, the coach didn't comment about when the shooting guard could return, as he just said that he could be back before they expect him to.
Spoelstra added that the Miami Heat just want caution with Waiters, so they are not talking about the date of his eventual return.
Erik Spoelstra, on whether Dion Waiters will make it back from his ankle sprain before the end of the season: pic.twitter.com/0motMRyn7J
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 7, 2017
Dion Waiters is a key piece of the team
Dion Waiters is having the best season of his career and he is having a lot of fun playing for the Miami Heat. Last summer, the 25-year old shooting guard signed a two-year contract worth only $5.9 million and he became one of the best players of the Heat. With 15.8 points per game, Waiters is the third-best Heat scorer, and he also averages career highs in rebounds (3.3) and assists (4.3).
Furthermore, the 6-foot-4 guard is one of the best three-point shooters on the team as he shoots his career-best percentage from the long range with 39.5 percent.
Without Dion Waiters, the Miami Heat are a different team and it is clear that they miss him very much. With Waiters on the roster, the Heat won 27 games and lost only 19.
However, without him on the team, the Heat won only 11 games and they lost 22 of them. Waiters is having a breakout season and besides averaging impressive numbers, he is also helping the Heat win games and stay competition. He is essential to the success of the team, and it is not a surprise that they've played so bad without him.
Miami Heat: With & Without @dionwaiters3 this season pic.twitter.com/aHfbqlvDvW
— AsPe Heat (@AsPe0308) April 8, 2017
Waiters' season could be over
Miami Heat have only three more games left in the season and considering how tough their schedule is, they might not qualify for the playoffs. It is not likely that Waiters will return in the regular season, and if the Heat doesn't climb back to the eighth seed, we won't see him play anymore.
It is important to note that Dion Waiters has a player option for the next year and he will most likely opt out of his contract and become a free agent. There is no doubt that a lot of teams will want to sign him after this fantastic season, and even though he expressed his wish to stay in Miami, he will be free to choose any other team that offers him a deal.
