The Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden Warriors reportedly reached an agreement ahead of the NBA Draft’s second round.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Golden State is sending pick No. 52 to Oklahoma City for Lindy Waters III.
Born in Oklahoma, Waters played at Oklahoma State before staying local to play three seasons for the Thunder as an undrafted free agent. The shooting guard averaged 3.6 points in 38 games off Oklahoma City’s bench last season.
Waters played just eight minutes in three playoff games without scoring a point. He grabbed one rebound in a 124-92 first-round win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors like Waters as “a deep rotation option.” His $2.2 million salary for next season becomes guaranteed on Saturday, but Golden State intends to retain him.
Unless they acquire another one, the Warriors will now leave the draft without making any picks. Their No. 14 choice went to the Portland Trail Blazers, who took Pittsburgh guard Bub Carrington.
Oklahoma City selected Serbian point guard Nikola Topić with the No. 12 pick obtained in the Russell Westbrook trade with the Houston Rockets five years ago. The Thunder also made a draft-night deal to acquire the No. 26 selection, which they used to select Weber State forward Dillon Jones.
Oklahoma City also added a significant veteran piece. Last week, the Thunder sent Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso.
This isn’t the only trade made before the second round resumes on Thursday afternoon. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Atlanta Hawks sent forward AJ Griffin to Houston for the 44th pick. The Minnesota Timberwolves also moved Wendell Moore Jr. and the 37th pick and the Detroit Pistons for the 53rd pick.
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