Did Suns promise to draft Dion Waiters?
Jun 8, 2012, 5:39 PM
Now is the time of year where many an NBA hopeful strut
their stuff in front of various teams, hoping to impress
them enough into drafting them.
Needless to say, when a player suddenly cancels scheduled
workouts, people wonder why. And, generally, it’s because
someone promised they’d draft that player.
It appears that is the case with Syracuse guard Dion
Waiters, who canceled all upcoming workouts.
Given where Waiters is expected to be selected and the
Suns’ need at shooting guard, it’s possible they’re
involved.
Tweeted ESPN NBA insider Chad Ford:
Lots of teams buzzing
about a Dion Waiters promise. Teams say he’s canceled all
upcoming workouts. Blazers, Raptors, Suns all
suspects— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June
7, 2012
Friday morning, the plot thickened, as Toronto GM Bryan
Colangelo vehemently denied the draft promise to Waiters
came from him.
According to Steve Kyler, the editor and publisher of
Hoopsworld.com:
Raptor GM Bryan
Colangelo was genuine in his denial on Dion Waiters…
went on a rant saying “Why Me? Why am I the guy making
promises”— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 8,
2012
Sources say Waiters
was immediately on a flight home to Philadelphia and has
indeed shut down workouts… sources peg Phoenix as the
spot— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 8,
2012
Oh, but that may not be the case at all. Arizona Sports
620’s John Gambadoro is reporting that while Waiters may
indeed have a promise from someone, it’s not the Suns.
Suns are not the team
that has a promise deal with Syracuse shooting guard Dion
Waiters— John Gambadoro (@Gambo620) June 8,
2012
So, through our advanced methods of deduction we’ve
narrowed it down to Portland being the team that promised
to draft Waiters. They are selecting 11th — ahead of the
Suns — so if that’s the case it wouldn’t matter if
Phoenix was interested or not.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Waiters averaged 12.6 points per
game for the Orange last season, shooting .476 from the
floor and .363 from three.
