Former Cowboy Lindy Waters III Signs Multi-Year Contract With OKC Thunder
A former Oklahoma State star is taking another step in his NBA career.
On Friday, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced that they signed Lindy Waters III to a multi-year contract. After the Thunder opened two roster spots with a trade deadline deal for Gordon Hayward, Waters became a beneficiary.
After being on a two-way contract each of the past three seasons, his new deal marks back-to-back seasons that he will end on a standard NBA contract. Waters’ entire basketball journey has taken place in Oklahoma, which will continue through at least the end of this season.
The former Cowboy has played with Oklahoma City for three seasons and appeared in 87 games. Although his production has reduced this season due to the team’s success, Waters clearly has the organization's trust.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has referred to Waters as someone he can trust to do the right things on the court. Even with lower minutes, Waters is shooting 41.9% from 3-point range this season, the best mark of his NBA career.
Although he has not been able to play as much as he has in the past, Waters has perfected his role as a spot-up shooter. This season, every field goal Waters has made has come off an assist. He has also taken 43 of his 46 shot attempts from beyond the arc.
Waters has also spent time in the G League this season, averaging 22.5 points in six games with the Oklahoma City Blue. Before playing with the Thunder and Blue, Waters spent four seasons at OSU.
In his four seasons, Waters became a go-to scorer and was part of a memorable 2020 senior class that included Cameron McGriff and Thomas Dziagwa. Waters averaged 9.5 points as a Cowboy while shooting 39% from beyond the arc.
He helped OSU to an NCAA Tournament appearance as a freshman and is one of three former Cowboys currently in the NBA, joining Marcus Smart and Cade Cunningham. As OSU hopes to add to that list, Waters is in good company and will continue to represent OSU in the league for the foreseeable future.
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Ivan is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University. He has covered OSU athletics since 2022 and also covers the OKC Thunder for Inside The Thunder and Thunderous Intentions.