One of the brand new tendencies in the trendy NBA is discovering under-the-radar sharp shooters and signing them long run on worth offers. The Miami Heat have been a prime instance of this, with each Duncan Robinson and Max Strus coming to thoughts instantly.
Oklahoma City actually struggled from behind the road final season and continued to fireside away. The Thunder shot a league-worst 32.3% from distance. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the crew’s closest participant to an All-Star, struggled from distance final season whereas tweaking his mechanics. Outside of SGA, the Thunder lacked any true risk from outdoors.
Lindy Waters was signed over the second half of the season, inking a two-way take care of the Thunder in February. The deal got here after Waters made a title for himself in the G League, hovering round 50% from 3-point vary over the season.
In 25 video games with the Thunder, Waters drilled 36.3% of his triples and averaged eight factors per sport. He did so with a few of the worst spacing in the NBA and a critical lack of offensive creation when Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey missed time down the stretch.
Waters could by no means play heavy minutes for the Thunder, however his potential worth in sure conditions might be very helpful. Long vary shooters are at a premium in the NBA, and groups are prepared to pay the worth to encompass stars with correct 3-point shooters. With Oklahoma City’s present construction of the younger core, they’ll have a lot of cash to provide out to present prospects.
He continued to look comfy over the course of the summer season league and appears to be creating chemistry as a “veteran” among the many younger rookies. If Waters can proceed to grow to be an elite shooter, he can safe a roster spot and save the Thunder cash. Oklahoma City will at all times have room on the roster for an elite spot-up shooter.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link