When Warriors ironically saw Waters’ fit, potential before trade

When Warriors ironically saw Waters’ fit, potential before trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy, days into replacing a retired Bob Myers in his new role, made waves on the morning of the 2023 NBA Draft by sending Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards to add longtime rival and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul. The next year this past June, Dunleavy again waded into the trade market during the draft to a lesser degree.

On the morning of the second day of the inaugural two-day draft, Dunleavy acquired shooting guard Lindy Waters III from the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 52 overall pick, Golden State’s only pick in the draft, before later reacquiring the selection to take Boston College big man Quinten Post. Though Waters had only played 104 games in the NBA, the Warriors had him high on their list of lesser-known names who could make an impact in the right situation.

And his performances against the Warriors’ Santa Cruz G League affiliate might have been a major contributing factor.

“He can really shoot it,” one G League source told NBC Sports Bay Area.

The same source noted it felt like Waters made six 3-pointers every time he played Santa Cruz. In Waters’ one game last season for the OKC Blue against the Sea Dubs, that number was spot on. His showings from previous years stand out, too.

Waters on Feb. 28 of last season exploded for 34 points against Santa Cruz in a five-point overtime loss, 121-116, going 12 of 18 from the field and 6 of 10 on 3-point attempts. The 6-foot-6 undrafted sharpshooter out of Oklahoma State shot 2 of 4 in the first quarter for four points, but he missed both his shots behind the 3-point line. He again was 2 of 4 in the second quarter, both made shots being 3s to give him 12 points at halftime.

Coming out of halftime, Waters was reminiscent of the unstoppable Third Quarter Warriors, when Golden State would flip a switch and turn the lights off on the other team. Waters was unconscious.

He took four 3-pointers and made all four. He was 6 of 8 overall, made both of his free throws and scored 18 points playing…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-ironically-saw-waters-fit-190525014.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-08-20 19:05:25

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