Rumors

Dion Waiters: But it’s also like politics too, bro, you know what I mean? Not everybody gets a second chance, right? Some people do, and some people don’t, you know what I mean? But I looked myself in the mirror already, bro. I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and I kept moving. I looked in the mirror and said to myself the things I did wrong and the things I could have done differently. And, you know, I put it to bed. Me, personally, I want to go back. Even if it’s not the league, bro, I want to finish somewhere where I dribble the ball. I don’t want to finish on the couch or with some jewelry on. I want to go out doing what got me here—that’s with a jersey on, you know? Just being in my element. If I shoot the ball for the last time, that’s how I want to go out. That’s hard, right? That’s what I’m thinking about—tapping back in, trying to get in basketball shape, and going out like that. I want to go out with a bang, man. Go out shooting the rock or something. We ain’t about to go out here dripped up with jewelry and cars. I’m not a rapper, you know what I mean?

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"There’s a rumor that me and Kyrie fought. Never. Not once. That’s my dog. We never had a physical altercation, ever. People said we argued, but it wasn’t even me—it was Tristan Thompson. We were just frustrated after losing by 30. It was nothing but competitiveness. That’s how it is when you’re trying to win and feed your family. That made us closer. I can put that on my life and my kids—me and Kyrie never fought."

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Dion Waiters: "I own all my properties, have Airbnbs, and daycares. Every crib I bought, I own outright. I told my mom in 10th grade I’d get her a house, and I did. We built it from the ground up—no mortgage. She’s straight for life. I’ve made investments, and I’m still living comfortably with money in the bank. It’s about learning and making smarter decisions after experiencing life."

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Dion Waiters: "I’ve been through real stuff in my life. My mom got shot. My dad got shot. My grandma got shot in the head and survived. I lost my best friend, three cousins. I’ve seen things as a kid that people can’t even imagine. So when people try to break me down and build me back up, I’m like, 'No, I’ve already been through the worst.' That’s the gift and the curse—it’s what made me who I am. That confidence people talk about? I needed that to survive, just coming up in the city. It’s not about thinking I’m better than anyone; it’s about being a dog, being tough. That’s what Philly taught me."

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Growing up in the challenging streets of Philadelphia, Waiters' love for the game was born from a series of life-altering events that shaped his career and identity. Raised in a tough neighborhood, basketball initially served as an escape rather than a calling. However, it wasn't until an unthinkable tragedy struck that the sport became a focal point in Dion's life. "My mom got shot, so what happened was, I had one of them old-school coaches; they don't give a [expletive] how good you were; I'm one of the best players on the team," Waiters said. "So my mom gets shot; long story short, I wind up missing practice; I was home taking care of her… The coach was like, 'You know, I can't do that for the kids that have been here working; you know you can work your way back up, and at the same time… and then, my mom just came out of nowhere and was like, 'Just hoop, just play ball,'" he added.

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Dion Waiters: "One thing money showed me is the love was never genuine. Money exposed a lot of people, a lot of relationships I thought I had. Nobody can ever say I wasn’t a real friend. I answered every call, every text. If we fell out, it was usually because I didn’t do something for them, because I said no. People don’t ask for small things, either—it’s thousands of dollars. I’ve spent a lot of money on a lot of people, paid bills, did everything. But I learned the hard way: you can’t overfeed the wrong ones. It weighs on you when you realize some people were only there because of what you could do for them."

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Dion Waiters: "I can still go out there and get you 20 right now—literally, 20 right now, respectfully. Like, respectfully, I say that. I’m not just talking, because I was born with a gift, bro, to play basketball. And it’s like riding a bike."

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Dion Waiters: "OKC was a lot. It was a lot going on, a lot of different, I want to say, hidden agendas. It was just a lot of tension, that’s all."

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Dion Waiters: "From the outside looking in, you’d think it’s one way until you get there and it’s not what it really seems to be like. Guys got along, but from afar, you’d think guys were closer than they actually were, and then when you get there, you’re like, 'Whoa.' We should have gone to the Finals, though. We were up 3-1, and I hate talking about it, but OKC was a lot of tension, a lot going on, bro."

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Dion Waiters: "Being around Russ and KD, I learned professionalism. Russ was always the first one there, no matter what—whether it was workouts, practice, whatever. His work ethic was unmatched. KD, too. They set the standard for hard work."

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Jorge Sierra: The players with the draft combine measurements most resembling Bronny James’: Dion Waiters, Sean Kilpatrick, Gary Harris, Shelvin Mack, Eric Gordon, Allonzo Trier, Charlie Bell, OJ Mayo. In that order.

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Jason Dumas: Source: I can confirm that Dion Waiters and Harry Giles’ workouts will be all next week here in the Bay.

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Shams Charania: The Warriors are holding free-agent workouts with veterans Dion Waiters, Tony Snell, Kent Bazemore, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Harry Giles and Trey Burke at facility over next two weeks, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. GS has multiple round of workouts to identify signings.

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Anthony Slater: This is similar to a couple summers ago, which led Warriors to invite Avery Bradley (among others) to camp. They currently have two vacant roster spots and two two-ways available. An eventual camp competition is expected among several candidates.

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