Dion Waiters (L) and JR Smith. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers are not keen on signing free agent shooting guard Dion Waiters and could target JR Smith instead, according to recent reports.
Rumors have emerged in the past few days linking Waiters to his hometown squad Sixers after the 24-year-old shooting guard posted on his social media account a message that included a hashtag "#TRUSTTHEPROCESS" that many thought was pertaining to the team's former president and general manager Sam Hinkie's infamous "The Process" idea.
A number of Philadelphia fans were said to be deceived by the social media post as they thought it was a "clue he is going to sign with the NBA team", as per ESPN.
However, a source close to Waiters clarified that the post "doesn't have anything to do with the Sixers" as it is just a "mantra" that the player and his trainer is said to be utilizing for some time now.
"When things weren't doing well at Syracuse (Waiters' alma mater), they would say, 'Trust the process.' Whenever he goes through a tough time, he says 'trust the process.' Right now, he's trusting the process of free agency," the source explained.
Waiters had just finished the four-year $16.8 million deal that Oklahoma City inherited from the Cleveland Cavaliers when he was traded to the Thunder in January of 2015. OKC actually gave him a qualifying offer this offseason, but the club withdrew it, making him an unrestricted free agent.
At the moment there are no other teams linked to the 6-foot-4 two guard except the Sixers. The report noted that Philly is "reluctant" to sign Waiters because team officials believe "trouble" follows him and they do not want to create that kind of environment for the team's young players.
Meanwhile, Fansided reported that the Sixers may instead look into the status of Smith as he and the Cavs have still not agreed on a contract after almost a month into free-agency.
The 30-year-old former NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee is reportedly looking for a $15 million annual salary, which the Cavs have not yet accepted.
At the moment, talks between Smith and Cleveland officials are stalled and rumors abound that he could find his desired contract elsewhere and leave the reigning NBA champions.
Smith was an integral part of the Cavs title run last season, where his improved defense and timely outside shooting helped push his team over the challenge of then defending champs Golden State Warriors in this year's NBA Finals.
