The Cleveland Cavaliers managed to score an impressive win against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, but there are questions about whether or not the current roster has the right pieces to win a title.
Most analysts are convinced that Dion Waiters could be the odd man out in Cleveland after the third-year guard voiced out concerns about his new role with the Cavaliers following the arrival of LeBron James and Kevin Love.
Waiters, whose point production is down to 9.4 a game from 15.9 last season, recently said that he is not a catch-and-shoot guy and is more comfortable getting scoring opportunities off the dribble.
The 22-year-old also said before the season that he is not open to coming off the bench, which makes most analysts believe that he will eventually look for a way out of Cleveland after not starting in their last two games.
"Waiters' future is probably not with the Cavaliers," Steven Ruiz of USA Today said. "At just 22, he's not in rush to win and will not sacrifice his own development (and earning power) for the good of the team. It's hard to blame a guy still trying to find his place in the league for that mentality."
"Even if he's not a good fit with this Cavs team, he could be a valuable trade piece in Cleveland's efforts to shore up its defensive problems."
LeBron James said in an interview with CBS Sports that the sixth-man role fits Waiters at this point of the season because the former Syracuse standout gives them another threat off the bench - both on the offensive and defensive end of the floor.
"For the best of the team, that should be Dion's role," James said. "Dion comes off the bench and brings us that scoring mentality but more than that, he brings us another defender off the bench, which we need. Someone that's tough, someone that can guard one through three. It's a new role, but it's a good role for him."
Cavaliers rookie coach David Blatt echoed James' statement, but it remains to be seen whether or not Waiters will eventually accept his new role. If not, the Cavaliers might be forced to part ways with the former fourth overall pick before the trade deadline this season.
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