Dion Waiters has played through ankle soreness this season, and it’s not going away anytime soon. The Miami Heat guard might need surgery to repair it.
According to Anthony Chiang of the Palm Beach Post, Waiters said he will consider having a procedure once the 2017-18 campaign is over.
“At this point, you got to see what’s best. But I won’t write it off, hell no. Especially if I’m going to keep going through the same thing, even with like little tweaks and things like that.”
Waiters said he’ll sit down with his family and agent after Miami’s season is done to determine what path is offseason should take.
In September, per Andre C. Fernandez of the Miami Herald, Waiters said he believed time and treatment would help his ankle. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case.
Waiters could’ve had surgery in the offseason, but he was a free agent and the recovery could’ve taken 10 months. Though unfortunate for Miami as a result, it’s understandable why Waiters didn’t want to sacrifice any of his leverage this summer. He signed a $52 million contract.
The Heat should remain on the edge of the Eastern Conference playoff picture throughout the regular season. So, barring a further (or different) issue, Waiters will remain hobbled yet involved.
But after Miami is eliminated, he might be inactive for a while.