Dion Waiters agreed to a new 4-year, $52 million deal with the Heat on Wednesday that will keep him in Miami through 2021. The move makes sense for both parties, as Waiters flourished in his first year with the Heat last season, posting career-best stats.
Waiters’ comfort in Miami with coach Erik Spoelstra and the rest of the Heat staff was apparent throughout the season and something he has otherwise been missing in his young career. The only time Waiters came close to appearing as comfortable as he was in Miami was in his time with Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City.
Waiters has written about how he loved playing with Durant and how they used to go at each other in 1-on-1 games while in OKC. Durant enjoyed those times too and takes pride in Waiters’ improvement to being a player that can get a long-term deal. Durant offered a congratulatory message to Waiters on his YouTube page, and took credit for Dion — who he calls his “first born” — getting paid.
Should I take full credit for Fly Dre getting paid? Probably not, but I will anyway. You’re welcome dre.
Dion, My first born. ??
I’ll always take credit for your success. We both know that.
I LOVE MY BROTHERS, THEY DESERVE IT ALL.
They work tirelessly and they stress over basketball, that’s real love and dedication to something. Once u have that, u get paid for it.
Fly Dre would be in reference to Andre Roberson, who got a 3-year, $30 million deal from the Thunder, but I love that Kevin Durant accepts Dion Waiters as his large adult son and is thrilled that he’s getting paid.
Durant’s return to being one of the NBA’s best (and weirdest) social media users after winning the title with the Warriors has been one of the great parts of this offseason, and this is the latest example. We’ll have to see if Waiters has any reply to his hoops father taking credit for his new deal.
