Lakers NBA Champion Has Been A Free Agent For Over 3 Years

A Los Angeles Lakers NBA Champion has been a free agent since 2020.

Apr 7, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) during a break in the action against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto defeated Miami in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports / John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Dion Waiters most recently played in the NBA during the 2019-20 season when he appeared in 10 regular season games for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers.

That season, he averaged 11.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest while shooting 41.4% from the field and 31.9% from the three-point range.

He was also with the Lakers in the playoffs when they won the 2020 NBA Championship (over the Heat).

Aug 1, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dion Waiters (18) passes the ball against Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol (33) during the second half at The Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports / Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Waiters became a free agent over the 2020 offseason, and he has been available since that point nearly four years ago.

Last summer, Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report reported that Waiters held a workout in front of NBA teams.

However, no team signed him during the 2023-24 season.

Dion Waiters pours out heart to shed light on dark days that led to depression following NBA exit, and why he had to seek therapy. This is the @dionwaiters3 you didn’t know: “I had thoughts of not being around.” https://t.co/fJt4zkoQeY

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 12, 2023

At 32, Waiters is still young enough that he could likely make an impact.

He has always been a talented scorer, so it's fair to assume he is still capable of playing a limited role off the bench.

Either a contender looking for depth or a young team in need of veteran experience in the locker room would make sense.

It's been 3 years since we've seen Dion Waiters play basketball. His journey has not been easy.

In an interview with Chris Haynes of B/R, Waiters opened up on his struggles with depression and anxiety. But the 10-year-old son who kept asking his dad why he wasn't playing anymore… pic.twitter.com/TcRya1sIL7

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 14, 2023

Waiters was initially the fourth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft out of Syracuse.

In addition to the Heat and Lakers, he has also spent time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers over eight seasons in the league.

During the 2014 season, Waiters averaged 15.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest while shooting 43.3% from the field and 36.8% from the three-point range in 70 games (24 starts) for the Cavs.

Mar 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters (3) high fives guard Kyrie Irving (2) after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors 103-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports