Dion Waiters (Photo : Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets could be the potential landing spot for Dion Waiters, with the OKC Thunder becoming rescinding the free agent's qualifying offer after signing Barcelona's shooting guard Alex Abrines.
The Thunder have decided to rescind Waiters' qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. The move comes after OKC decided to bring Abrines, whom they signed to a three-year $18 million contract.
With Waiters having the freedom to choose the team of his choice, there could be a handful of teams interested in his service after becoming an effective rotation player with the Thunder last season. One potential landing spot for Waiters could be the Brooklyn Nets, who have reportedly considered the 24-year-old shooting guard following their failed bid to land Tyler Johnson and Allen Crabbe.
Wojnarowski reported a few weeks ago that the Nets have considered Waiters as their backup plan to the foiled signings of Johnson and Crabbe, but would have to evaluate the situation first in the next few days. This seems a perfect time for the Nets to mull about singing Waiters, who averaged 9.8 points and 2.6 rebounds a game for the Thunder last season.
Waiters has been known for his inconsistency, but could effectively contribute if given ample minutes on the court. He could be the top option at the shooting guard position, or could take some minutes off Greivis Vasquez.
Waiters could also fit as an off-guard playing alongside Jeremy Lin, forming a backcourt who could push the pace of the Nets' offense.
According to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, the Nets still have $20 million in cap space they could use to facilitate a trade or reserve for next year's free agency. Apparently, it would be enough to sign Waiters on a cap-friendly deal, but Nets general manager Sean Marks has insisted last week the team would be cautious on spending the remains of their salary cap.
"We're not just going to go out and spend for the sake of spending. We have a lot of flexibility next year, so hopefully I'm standing in front of you next year with a couple of guys who sign offer sheets that didn't get matched," Marks said, reports SB Nation.
Waiters should be a valuable addition to a team needing backcourt pieces, but a deal could only happen if the Nets view Waiters as an integral piece in their hopes to bounce back from a dismal season.
