Miami

Heat Finalizing Deal With Dion Waiters: Report

The Heat are reportedly close to completing a deal with free agent Dion Waiters

The Miami Heat are finalizing a deal with free agent guard Dion Waiters, according to a report by ESPN.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but Waiters is expected to see a hefty raise in salary. The guard was a low-risk signing last year with Miami and he had a big season. Due to that production, Waiters was in high demand this off-season.

The contract is expected to be for a length of four seasons, with potential options unknown at this time. Waiters is 25 and could just be entering the prime years of his career.

When Miami swung and missed on an attempt to sign Gordon Hayward, it quickly turned attention to retaining Waiters and others. The guard was being courted by multiple teams including the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. Losing Waiters could have been a detrimental blow to Miami's progress.

With Waiters close to being back in the fold, Miami could next move to retain the services of James Johnson. Like Waiters, Johnson enjoyed a fine 2016-17 season and has been in reported talks with other teams. Johnson should be in-line for a raise as well, though his salary should come in at a lower number than Waiters.

The Heat have had an active off-season, following a year that nearly saw them make the playoffs. Miami still has some spots on the roster remaining and could look to add an inexpensive veteran or two to the mix as well.

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