Dion Waiters' lottery promise is Suns at 13

Dion Waiters has a lottery promise from the Suns, by all indications. (Getty Images)

Dion Waiters bailed on the NBA combine early on the advice of his agent. Word quickly spread that Waiters, projected anywhere from 11 to 25 in some mock drafts, had a promise. No wonder he bailed so quick. That's gold for a prospect like Waiters. He can only rise from there, as his value inherently rises because of the promise. He can't fall, he can only improve. But who was it?

Our own Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com reported after the combine:

13. Phoenix Suns

Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse: Agent Rob Pelinka pulled Waiters from the Chicago combine -- which means his client likely has a promise from someone in the lottery. The word is it may be the Suns, who could use a tough, scoring guard like Waiters.

via Goodman's 2012 NBA Mock Draft: Post-combine evaluations - CBSSports.com.

That was later also reported by Gary Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.

For the Suns, it's a pretty natural fit, and if they hold to it, it fills a need long-term. It's a bit of a reach and you'd like to see them go more for a power forward with athleticism, but Waiters does have a solid skill set.

Either way, it looks like Waiters will be going top-13. Adjust your mocks accordingly.