SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy, who just replaced the retiring Bob Myers in his new role, made waves on the morning of the 2023 NBA draft by sending Jordan Poole to Washington Wizards to add his longtime rival and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul. The following year, last June, Dunleavy again entered the trade market during the project to a lesser extent.
On the morning of the second day of the two-day inaugural draft, Dunleavy acquired fullback Lindy Waters III Waters was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 52nd overall pick, Golden State’s only selection in the draft, before later trading up the selection to take Boston College big man Quinten Post. Although Waters only played 104 games in the NBA, the Warriors had him at the top of their list of lesser-known names. which could have an impact in the right situation.
And his performance against the Warriors’ Santa Cruz G League affiliate may have been a major contributing factor.
“He can really shoot,” a G League source told NBC Sports Bay Area.
The same source noted that Waters felt like he made six three-pointers every time he played against Santa Cruz. In Waters’ only game last season for the OKC Blue against the Sea Dubs, that number was accurate. His performances in previous years also stand out.
The waters of February 28 last season exploded for 34 points against Santa Cruz In a five-point overtime loss, 121-116, he shot 12 of 18 from the field and 6 of 10 from 3-point range. The 6-foot-6 undrafted sharpshooter from Oklahoma State shot 2 of 4 in the first quarter for four points, but missed both of his shots from behind the 3-point line. He was 2 of 4 again in the second quarter, with both shots coming from 3-point range to give him 12 points at halftime.
Coming out of halftime, Waters was calling the Warriors back into action, unstoppable in the third quarter, when Golden State flipped a switch and turned off the other team’s lights. Waters was unconscious.
He made four three-pointers and scored all four. He shot 6 of 8 overall, made both of his free throws and scored 18 points while playing all 12 minutes of the third quarter. That onslaught gave Waters 30 points in three quarters as OKC held a nine-point lead entering the final period of the game.
Somehow, Waters only shot once in the fourth quarter and once in overtime as the Blues saw their lead evaporate in a tough loss. Waters made both shots. As the Warriors battled their way to a comeback victory, they saw Waters shoot 8-of-10 from the field between the second half and overtime, hitting all four of his three-point attempts.
“When he gets it done, it looks pretty easy,” another G League source said.
For those unfamiliar with Waters’ game, take a look below at what the Warriors saw five months before bringing him to the Bay Area.
Videos of Waters’ most points scored in a G League or NBA game show his ability and comfort level as a three-pointer off the dribble and as a catch-and-shoot threat. On that career night, Waters scored 15 fast-break points and posted an 88.0 true shooting percentage and an 83.3 effective field goal percentage.
The previous season, Waters had faced Santa Cruz in back-to-back games, scoring 11 points on Nov. 9, 2022, and then 16 the next day. Waters first finished 4 of 10 from the field and 3 of 8 as a 3-point shooter, then improved a day later to 7 of 16 overall and made five of his 13 3-pointers.
His third and final game in Santa Cruz as a rookie was Waters’ breakout, totaling 26 points in his sixth game as a starter on 9-of-12 shooting, draining seven 3s in 10 attempts on Jan. 22, 2022.
Waters, who is on a non-guaranteed contract, appears to be done with the G League. At least that’s what Dunleavy said hours after making 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 regular contributor. “I don’t think we would have traded for a guy using a draft pick if we didn’t think that. With his skill set and the way he plays, I think it fits the way we play, so we feel like he’s a guy we can play with.”
“Like everyone, if he plays well and does what we ask of him, I think we have a good chance of finding a player who will work well for us.”
After college, Waters began his career as a semi-professional player in the Basketball League. The Oklahoma native joined the Blues as a tryout player and continued his rise to the NBA with the Thunder.
Many see the G League as a drawback. For Waters, the league served its purpose, developing a player who clearly caught Golden State’s attention because he too often made every second a struggle for Santa Cruz.
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