Mar 6, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) reacts after hitting a three-pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Heat won 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Rumors: In the midst of the best basketball of his career, Dion Waiters hopes that he’s finally found a permanent home with the Miami Heat

When Dion Waiters signed with the Miami Heat towards the latter portion of free agency during the summer, many laughed at the idea that he was only able to snag the Heat’s $2.9 million mid-level exception.

In perhaps the richest free agency period in NBA history, Waiters got nothing. Even though part of that was because he was a restricted free agent for the majority of the summer – it wasn’t until the OKC Thunder renounced his rights (after they officially lost Kevin Durant to GS) that Waiters hit the open market – the fact that he couldn’t find a richer deal was really concerning.

However, Waiters, in essentially a contract year, has begun to change the narrative. Instead of continuing to be laughed off, as what had been the case through his young career, Waiters is one of the biggest parts of why the Miami Heat are streamlining towards the playoffs.

Waiters is in the midst of the best season of his career, averaging 16 points and 4.4 assists per game on career high shooting.

However, since the Heat began this onslaught of winning 21 of 25 games – which included an impressive 13-game winning streak – Waiters is averaging 19 points and five assists per game. They’re now half a game back from the 8th seed and 1.5 games back of the 6th seed.

At one point this season, the Heat were 11-30 and destined for a top 3 pick. In mid-Jan, that all changed. And Dion Waiters has been a big reason why.

Now, he hopes that he’s found a long-term home with the Miami Heat. Waiters becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season, but he’s made it clear that he wants to remain in Miami.

[via Miami Herald] But Waiters, 25, already knows how he wants this summer to play out. “I want to get it done as quick as possible,” he said, hoping Heat longterm interest is mutual. “Let’s keep this thing rolling by any means. I don’t want to go into free agency with a couple days and make a decision. I don’t want that. I know where I want to be. Let’s just get it done. My mom loves it here. Would be mad at me [if I left]. My son loves it. My family loves it.”

From all indications, Waiters’ free agency is going to come down to the Heat. Does Miami want to invest in a player that has, in the past, shown major inconsistencies in his game?

Has Waiters finally figured it out?

That’s something the Heat will have to figure out before handing Waiters the hefty contract that he will likely demand on the open market this summer. One thing’s clear, though. And it’s that Waiters wants to be in Miami.

And, for some weird reason, it feels like Miami kind of needs Waiters.