MIAMI _ Miami Heat President Pat Riley announced Tuesday that Dion Waiters not only will not be available for next week's start of training camp, but also is not expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
"Dion Waiters, who is currently rehabbing from foot surgery, will not be available when the team begins training camp on Sept. 25th and is also unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season on Oct. 17th," Riley said in a statement issued by the team. "Dion will not be returning to the court until the Heat medical team and training staff deem him healed, rehabbed and physically conditioned for all basketball activities."
Waiters underwent surgery on Jan. 23 to repair instability in the left ankle, with a preexisting navicular bone fracture also repaired. The team announced at that time that Waiters would miss the balance of 2017-18.
Waiters, who had injured the ankle at the end of 2016-17 and initially opted for treatment instead of surgery as he finalized his four-year, $52 million free-agent contract in July 2017, struggled with the ailment at the start of last season, when he appeared in 30 games as the Heat's starting shooting guard, averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game.
Riley's statement on Waiters came shortly after the Heat formally announced the re-signing of Dwyane Wade, who now could emerge as a possible opening-night starter, after being expected to play this season as a reserve, as he did after last season's return at the February NBA trading deadline.
The Heat's other options as their season-opening starting shooting guard are Tyler Johnson, Wayne Ellington, Rodney McGruder, Derrick Jones Jr. or possibly moving Josh Richardson to the position from small forward.
While sidelined, Waiters will continue to count against the Heat's 20-player offseason roster limit and 15-player regular-season roster limit.
Waiters hinted at an extended recovery period when he posted two weeks ago on Instagram, "Once I'm cleared from the doc it's on."
The Heat open training camp Tuesday at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton after Monday's media day at AmericanAirlines Arena. The Heat open their preseason schedule Sept. 30 on the road against the San Antonio Spurs.
Waiters has been offering a running account of his progress throughout the summer on social media, posting in July, "First time on the court since surgery ... great to be back. We getting closer. Bet on yourself. Then double down. Step by step."
Riley on June 21 said of Waiters, "Now I think the real rehab and conditioning come over the next three months, as he gets his body back in shape and one day hopefully back on the court where he can run."
Waiters, who spoke of pain at the start of last season's training camp, said at that time that he was told the recovery period from surgery could be as long as 10 months.
The Heat received a $5.5 million salary-cap injury exception from the league last season for Waiters' surgery but did not utilize it before it expired at season's end. It was available only to add a replacement player for the balance of 2017-18.
Waiters again has a bonus in excess of $1 million in his contract for appearing in at least 70 games this season. Because he failed to meet the requirement last season, that bonus currently does not count against the Heat's salary cap and luxury tax. It now appears as if that bonus again will go uncollected this coming season.
