Dion Waiters and LeBron James were teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2014-15 season. But under head coach David Blatt, the Cavs struggled to reach their full potential during the first half of that season. Waiters was eventually traded at the deadline in a deal that returned Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith to the Cavaliers. Both players–especially Smith–would prove to be critical pieces of Cleveland’s NBA championship rotation in 2016.
Roughly five years later, Waiters finds himself lining up alongside LeBron again as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers. While Dion is not expected to make his debut for the next couple games, he is expected to add scoring punch and playmaking off the bench for L.A. This weekend, he caught up with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin to discuss signing with the Lakers along with his relationship with LeBron.
“I mean, it’s always been a bond,” Waiters said when asked about his relationship with James. “Even when I left. We always see each other, we always showed love. So, nothing really changed. It’s just different teams. We don’t get to see each other as much, as often, but when we did it was always genuine. So, when I came here, like I said, they welcomed me with open arms.”
In addition to having a relationship with LeBron, Waiters also has an extensive relationship with Rob Pelinka who was Dion’s agent when he entered the league as the No. 4 overall pick. Waiters has since signed with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports adding even more layers of connectivity to the Lakers family.
“I just wanted to get a chance to talk to Coach and Rob,” Waiters said of the free agency process. “Rob (was) my agent for five years, so it’s been good. Everything went well. It went smooth. So I’m here today, and I’m happy, I’m excited. Just trying to get my feet wet, get back into rhythm and things like that and just figure out the plays and just get to know the guys.”
Waiters is not expected to play today against the Los Angeles Clippers but could be in the lineup over the next couple weeks.
