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Lindy Waters III report card: Former Oklahoma State guard filled limited role with Thunder
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- Lindy Waters III report card: Former Oklahoma State guard filled limited role with Thunder
Editor's note: Over the next few weeks, The Oklahoman will publish a series of report cards on each of the Thunder's 15 main roster players. Grades will be curved relative to role and expectations. Next up in the series, Lindy Waters III.
Lindy Waters III is seemingly always on the move. From the G League Blue to the Thunder . From being signed to a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal.
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And on the move as a shooter.
Albeit in a career-low 7.4 minutes per game, Waters shot a career-high 43.5% from 3-point range in 38 games with the Thunder. The 26-year-old via Norman North and Oklahoma State upped his career 3-point percentage to 37.7%.
Eighty-two percent of Waters' field goal attempts came from behind the arc, which was actually down from 91% last season.
More than a quarter of Waters' 3-point attempts came from the corners, where Waters shot 52%.
Oklahoma City]'s Lindy Waters III (12) is pictured in the second half of the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 12, 2024.
Waters, who helped lead the Blue to the G League title , played eight minutes of mop-up duty in the three Thunder playoff games.
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"Getting an opportunity in the G League to continue to develop as a player and a person and then finishing that off with a championship, getting to celebrate with those guys, there's no better feeling than finishing your last game on a win," Waters said in his exit interview.
The 6-foot-6 guard has a team option for $2.2 million next season. If the Thunder declines it, there's a good chance Waters remains in the organization with the Blue.
Waters, who is Cherokee and Kiowa, is the third Oklahoman (Terrance Ferguson, Daniel Orton) to play for the Thunder.
More: Lu Dort report card: How OKC Thunder stopper transformed himself offensively
Oklahoma City forward Lindy Waters III (12) shoots in the fourth quarter during an NBA game between The Oklahoma City Thunder and The San Antonio Spurs at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
Lindy Waters III by the numbers
29th:Waters is 29th on the Thunder's all-time 3-pointers made list (148). He's between Theo Maledon (149) and Daequan Cook (144).
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14th:At 37.7%, Waters ranks 14th in Thunder history in 3-point percentage among qualified shooters. He's just behind Cook and just ahead of Derek Fisher.
2:Waters attempted just two free throws in his 280 minutes. He made them both.
Lindy Waters III offseason homework
Learn from Isaiah Joe's example.
Joe, an elite shooter, has become a competitive defender despite his slight frame.
Lindy Waters III grade: B+
Waters wasn't given much runway given the depth of the Thunder's roster, but he was a reliable shotmaker when called upon.
More: Top five OKC Thunder seasons: Where does 2023-24 team rank?
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Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com . Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com .
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Lindy Waters III report card: Former OSU guard filled role with OKC
