Waiters is a talented veteran and an excellent 3-point shooter who could contribute to the Lakers as they move toward their first playoff run since 2013.
By Greg Beacham ••
Michael Reaves
MIAMI, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 18: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Houston Rockets during the second half at American Airlines Arena on October 18, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Dion Waiters for their postseason push.
The Western Conference-leading Lakers made the move Friday before they hosted the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks.
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Singer, Beyonce performs during the Kobe Bryant Memorial Service on Feb. 24, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.
Jimmy Kimmel speaks during a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Vanessa Bryant is helped off the stage by former NBA player Michael Jordan after speaking during a celebration of life for her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Former Los Angeles Lakers watch during a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Kobe Bryant’s parents Joe and Pam Bryant arrive for a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Diana Taurasi speaks during The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Mark Parker attends The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
US basketball executive Rob Pelinka speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
US musician Alicia Keys performs during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and others during The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Feb. 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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US-Italian basketball coach Geno Auriemma speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Retired US basketball player Michael Jordan cries as he speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Retired US basketball player Shaquille O’Neal speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Christina Aguilera performs during a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Jerry West and Steve Ballmer attend The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LL Cool J attends The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Feb. 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez depart after The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Feb. 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Waiters is an eight-year NBA veteran who had been a free agent since Memphis waived him last month, three days after acquiring him from Miami in the three-team trade that landed Andre Iguodala with the Heat.
Waiters played in just three games and served three suspensions this season for the Heat. He missed Miami's road game against the Lakers in November and was subsequently suspended for 10 games after having a drug-related panic attack on the team plane.
But Waiters is a talented veteran and an excellent 3-point shooter who could contribute to the Lakers as they move toward their first playoff run since 2013. He also played with LeBron James in Cleveland during the 2014-15 season.
Waiters began his career with three seasons in Cleveland, followed by two in Oklahoma City. He never played for the Grizzlies after he was traded from Miami to Memphis midway through his fourth season with the Heat.
The Lakers waived Troy Daniels on March 1 to open the roster spot filled by Waiters, who impressed the team in a recent workout. Daniels struggled for consistent playing time in Los Angeles.
