Warriors saw Lindy Waters’ fitness and NBA potential for the first time against G-League team – NBC Sports Bay Area & California
SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy, who had replaced the retiring Bob Myers in his new role just days earlier, made a splash on the morning of the 2023 NBA Draft by sending Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards to sign his longtime rival and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul. The following year, in June, Dunleavy hit the transfer market again during the draft, but on a smaller scale.
On the morning of the second day of the first two-day draft, Dunleavy drafted shooting guard Lindy Waters III from the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 52nd overall pick, Golden State’s only choice in the draft, before later reacquiring the selection to take big man Quinten Post from Boston College. Despite having played just 104 games in the NBA, Waters was at the top of the Warriors’ list of lesser-known names who could make an impact in the right situation.
And his performance against the Warriors’ G-League affiliate in Santa Cruz may have been a major factor.
“He can really shoot,” a G League source told NBC Sports Bay Area.
The same source noted that it felt like Waters made six three-pointers every time he played against Santa Cruz. In Waters’ lone game last season for the OKC Blue against the Sea Dubs, that number was right on target. His performances from previous years also stand out.
Waters scored 34 points against Santa Cruz on Feb. 28 of last season in a five-point overtime loss (121-116). He made 12 of 18 field shots and 6 of 10 three-point attempts. The 6-foot-6 undrafted sharpshooter from Oklahoma State made 2 of 4 shots in the first quarter for four points, but missed both shots from behind the three-point line. He again made 2 of 4 in the second quarter, both shots being three-pointers, to give him 12 points at halftime.
Coming out of halftime, Waters was reminiscent of the unstoppable Warriors in the third quarter when Golden State flipped a switch and turned out the other team’s lights. Waters was unconscious.
He shot four three-pointers and made all four. Overall, he shot 6 of 8, made both free throws and scored 18 points in all 12 minutes of the third quarter. With this offensive streak, Waters scored 30 points in three quarters, giving OKC a nine-point lead going into the final quarter of the game.
For some reason, Waters only shot once in the fourth quarter and once in overtime as the Blues saw their lead melt away in a tough loss. Waters made both shots. As the Warriors battled their way to a comeback win, they saw Waters hit 8 of 10 shots between the second half and overtime, sinking all four of his three-point attempts.
“When he does it, it looks pretty effortless,” said another G League source.
For those unfamiliar with Waters’ game, check out what the Warriors experienced five months before he signed with the Bay Area below.
Video evidence of the most points Waters has ever scored in a G-League or NBA game shows his ability and skill off the dribble and as a catch-and-shoot threat. On this night of his career, Waters scored 15 fast break points and had an 88.0 shooting percentage and an 83.3 effective field goal percentage.
Last season, Waters faced Santa Cruz twice on back-to-back days, scoring 11 points on November 9, 2022, and 16 the next day. Waters initially sank 4 of 10 field goals and 3 of 8 three-pointers, improving a day later to 7 of 16 overall and converting five of his 13 three-pointers.
His third and final game as a rookie against Santa Cruz was Waters’ breakthrough. In his sixth game as a starter on January 22, 2022, he scored 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting and sank seven 3-pointers on 10 attempts.
Waters, who has a non-guaranteed contract, appears to be done playing in the G League. At least, that’s what Dunleavy said hours after naming Waters a Warrior.
“Absolutely,” Dunleavy said when asked if Waters would be in the Warriors’ rotation or at least compete for a spot as a starter. “I don’t think we would have signed a player with a draft pick if we didn’t think so. With his skill set and his style of play, I think he fits the way we play, so we feel like he’s a guy we can just use.”
“If he performs well like everyone else and does the jobs that are asked of him, I think we have a good chance of finding a player who will work well for us.”
Waters’ post-college career began as a semi-pro in the Basketball League. The Oklahoma native made it to the Blues as a tryout player and continued his rise to the NBA with the Thunder.
Many see the G League as a disadvantage, but for Waters, the league served its purpose by producing a player who clearly caught Golden State’s attention as he made every second difficult for Santa Cruz far too often.
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