Dion Waiters' qualifying offer with the Oklahoma City Thunder was recently revoked by the club as they aim to protect the team's salary cap space for the impending contract extension of All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, making the shooting guard an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported that "the move protects salary cap space for the Thunder's primary offseason objective, league sources said: persuading five-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook to renegotiate his contract, which would eliminate his 2017 free agency."
However, despite the shift, OKC still holds the 24-year-old wingman's Bird rights and could still re-sign him to a new contract, but rumors are out that the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are interested in snatching him out of the Thunder's hands this summer.
Wojnarowski noted that OKC would most likely sign Westbrook to a two-year deal that ends in the 2017-2018 season, which would give the Thunder the chance to lure its hometown hero and top free agent target next summer - Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin - for a potential team-up with the two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP.
At the moment, Westbrook and his representatives are not yet in talks with the Thunder's top brass for a contract extension as speculations abound that the 2015 NBA scoring champion intends to test the lucrative free agent market next year.
Still, reports have emerged that Westbrook is not looking to exit Oklahoma City in the foreseeable future as he is eager and "angry" to lead them next season because of Kevin Durant's decision to join the Golden State Warriors early in this free agency period.
Wojnarowski also said that Waiters' $6.7 million qualifying offer for next season is a huge relief for the Thunder's salary cap and the team could still eliminate the shooting guard's "$12.8 million cap hold count against their cap once they renounce him and his Bird Rights - or he signs elsewhere".
Meanwhile, SB Nation indicated that aside from the Nets and Sixers, the Chicago Bulls are also interested in acquiring Waiters.
In a report earlier this month, the Bulls are said to be aiming to shore up their guard lineup and Waiters had been one of their primary targets. However, with the recent signing of superstar Dwyane Wade and mercurial point guard Rajon Rondo, it remains to be seen whether the Bulls would continue their pursuit of Waiters.