The Cleveland Cavaliers are shopping last year’s No. 4 overall pick Dion Waiters at the player’s suggestion, because he is not getting along with some of his teammates and seemingly wants a new team, according to a report.
ESPN’s Chris Broussard says the Cavs are actively shopping Waiters and have contacted multiple teams about potential trades. Waiters supposedly has a “contentious” relationship with several teammates and even suggested in a meeting with his coach and GM last week that they trade him.
According to Broussard, Waiters called out Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson during a players-only meeting recently. The meeting was called by Irving, a former Rookie of the Year, whom Waiters accused of playing buddy ball with Thompson and not passing to Waiters.
There seems to be friction between Waiters and Irving. Waiters reportedly views Irving as someone who’s been allowed to get away with things like loafing defensively, turnovers, and taking bad shots that other players could not get away with.
Waiters averaged 14.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game as a rookie last year. He’s only shooting 38.9 percent this season and is averaging 13 points in 27.7 minutes per game. If the team allows Irving more leeway, it’s because he is closer to being a star player than Waiters. The only thing is the Cavs would be wise to treat Irving with more discipline; it would be better for the player long term.
