Waters agreed Friday with the Thunder on a one-year, two-way contract, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Though Oklahoma City chose to decline Waters' $1.93 million team option for 2023-24 heading into the start of free agency earlier this offseason, the 26-year-old wing will ultimately stick around with the Thunder as one of the team's three two-way players. A career 36 percent shooter from downtown over 66 appearances with the Thunder the past two seasons, Waters will likely face a tougher path to playing time in 2023-24 after Oklahoma City lost none of its key rotation players from the past season while adding rookies Cason Wallace and Vasilije Micic and returning 2022 No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren from injury.
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Lindy Waters: Thunder decline option
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Oklahoma City declined Waters' $1.9 million team option Thursday, making him an unrestricted free agent, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Waters played in 66 games for the Thunder over the past two years but won't be back for another year, unless he's re-signed at a cheaper price. The 25-year-old averaged 5.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 12.9 minutes last season.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Scores 10 points off bench
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Waters totaled 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-5 3Pt), three rebounds and one steal over 16 minutes during Thursday's 114-98 victory over the Jazz.
Waters scored in double figures for the first time since March 8. However, he's playing just 14.3 minutes per contest since returning from a three-game absence at the end of March, so he lacks major fantasy intrigue.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Makes return from foot injury
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Waters (foot) finished with eight points (3-7 FG, 2-6 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist and one block across 17 minutes in Friday's 121-117 loss to the Pacers.
Waters recaptured a spot in the Thunder rotation after missing the previous three games while recovering from left foot plantar fasciitis. The third-year wing has now received double-digit minutes in five consecutive appearances and is averaging 6.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.6 three-pointers and 0.8 assists per game over that stretch.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Available Friday
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Waters (foot) will be in uniform for Friday's game versus the Pacers.
After three straight absences, Waters was upgraded from out to questionable for Friday's contest and will ultimately give it ago. He should resume his rotation depth role with the Thunder and has averaged 17.6 minutes per game over his last 10 appearances, chalking up 7.2 points and 2.0 boards on average.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Upgraded to questionable
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Waters (foot) has been upgraded to questionable for Friday's game against the Pacers.
Waters has missed the last three games due to a foot injury and was initially ruled out Friday, but his status is now up in the air ahead of tipoff. If he's given the green light against Indiana, his playing time may be monitored following his absence.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Won't play against Indiana
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Waters (foot) is out for Friday's game versus the Pacers.
Waters will miss his fourth straight game Friday due to a lingering foot injury. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Phoenix.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Unavailable again Wednesday
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Waters (foot) will not take the floor Wednesday versus the Pistons.
Waters has been sidelined for the past pair of games while dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and it appears a third consecutive absence is on the way. Isaiah Joe will likely continue to see additional minutes in his absence, and more free minutes will be available again Wednesday with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) sidelined as well.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Out Tuesday
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Waters (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Hornets.
Waters is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, which is an injury that can only heal with prolonged rest. For now, he should be considered doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Pistons, and with Waters on the sidelines, there will be more minutes available for guys like Aaron Wiggins and Ousmane Dieng.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Late scratch Sunday
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Waters has been ruled out for Sunday's game agains the Trail Blazers due to plantar fasciitis, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Waters is averaging 18.9 minutes over his the Thunder's past nine games, so his absence should open up more minutes for Tre Mann, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe. Waters' next chance to suit up will come Tuesday against the Hornets.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Hits six threes off bench
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Waters notched 23 points (7-14 FG, 6-12 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds and two assists over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 132-101 loss to Phoenix.
Waters had played just seven minutes combined in the Thunder's previous three games, but the absences of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) and Jalen Williams (wrist) opened up more ample playing time Wednesday. The second-year wing was further aided by the blowout, which allowed Waters to finish as the Thunder's minutes leader while several other key contributors were rested down the stretch. Waters made the most of his time on the court by shooting lights out from three-point range, but with Gilgeous-Alexander set to return this weekend, Waters will struggle to see the sort of opportunity he received Wednesday on a regular basis.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Won't play Tuesday
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Waters is inactive for Tuesday's game versus the Kings, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.
Despite being recalled from the G League, Waters won't play against Sacramento. His next chance to suit up is Wednesday's matchup with the Lakers.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Recalled from G League
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The Thunder recalled Waters from the G League on Tuesday, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.
Waters was sent to the G League earlier in the day and played in the Blue's game, but he's back with the parent organization ahead of the evening's tilt. Waters played 17 minutes during Sunday's game versus the Kings and performed well -- notching 12 points, seven boards, two steals and an assist over 17 minutes -- and he could see some minutes again Tuesday with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (COVID-19 protocols) sidelined. However, his appearance in the G League tilt likely lessens his chances of seeing meaningful minutes Tuesday evening.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Sent to G League
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The Thunder assigned Waters to the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Tuesday, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.
Even though he was recently upgraded from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract, Waters will still be subject to occasional assignments to the G League due his standing as a young player who isn't a staple of the Thunder's rotation. He should get the chance to play big minutes for the Blue in their home game Tuesday versus the Sioux Falls Skyforce at 12 p.m. ET, but Waters could be called back up to the Thunder ahead of the NBA squad's matchup with the Kings at 8 p.m. ET.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Signing two-year deal with Thunder
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Waters signed a two-year, $3.8 million contract with the Thunder on Monday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
The second year of the deal is a team option. Waters has played 25 games for the Thunder so far this season and is averaging 4.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 three-pointers in 11.2 minutes per game.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Plays well in win
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Waters posted 12 points (4-6 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and two steals over 17 minutes during Sunday's 124-115 loss to the Kings.
Waters saw more playing time with the Thunder in the loss, scoring a season-high 12 points on 66.7 percent shooting, which included 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. It was nice to see him step up in his limited time on the floor, but given his usual role and the fact that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle/abdomen) was out for this game, he's still not worth rostering in any league.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Doesn't suit up Wednesday
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Waters did not take the floor for the Blue's Wednesday night matchup against the Mad Ants.
Even though Waters suited up for the Thunder's game against Golden State on Feb. 6, he did not have the opportunity to showcase his skills for the Blue on Wednesday. Waters is currently on a two-way deal, so that could play a role in why he didn't suit up for the G League club. When he's back with the Blue, expect him to make an impact as one of the main offensive weapons.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Back in rotation Monday
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Waters closed with eight points (3-5 FG, 2-4 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist across 15 minutes during Monday's 141-114 loss to the Warriors.
Waters re-entered the rotation Monday, seeing action for the first time in over two weeks. The Thunder continue to change their rotation on seemingly a nightly basis, making streaming almost impossible. With that said, Waters has only been used sparingly thus far this season, meaning managers can safely avoid in him just about every format.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Doesn't suit up Wednesday
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Waters did not suit up for the Blue's Wednesday night matchup against the South Bay Lakers.
Waters has played a key role for the Blue this season, averaging 24.3 points over 37.2 minutes per game. Therefore, it's surprising that he did not enter the game against South Bay -- perhaps he could've helped the Blue overcome the deficit to secure the victory.
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Thunder's Lindy Waters: Leading scorer in win
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Waters finished with 30 points (9-15 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists and four blocks in 41 minutes during Tuesday's 122-117 win over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Waters played a key role in helping the Blue secure the victory, finishing as the leading scorer while also being active on the glass. He showcased his defensive versatility as a rim protector as well, compiling a team-high four blocks.
