The Thunder and Dion Waiters have decided against signing a rookie scale extension before tonight’s 11pm Central deadline, a source tells TNT’s David Aldridge (Twitter link). That means Waiters is set to become a restricted free agent in July. Marc Stein of ESPN.com reported late Sunday that the sides were continuing talks, but it appears they’ve broken them off. The Landmark Sports Agency client was enthusiastic about reaching an extension as the Thunder actively explored the idea last month, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports heard a few weeks ago.
Oklahoma City likes to reward players who want to be there and the team is more concerned with building Kevin Durant a stable supporting cast for the long-term than making too many commitments to non-stars in the event that he bolts in free agency, as Royce Young of ESPN.com recently explained. GM Sam Presti said in September that only slight adjustments were necessary for Waiters to make a significant impact. That seemed to make the case why the Thunder would have interest in an extension, but it nonetheless appears as though it wasn’t compelling enough for the sides to come to terms.
The team was open to the idea of an extension over the summer, but only if he would concede to a discount, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reported. It’s unclear just how much of a discount would have been required, but the value of the 23-year-old had seemingly plummeted last season as he failed to reach either 40% shooting from the floor or 30% from behind the arc and reached new lows in points and minutes per game.
Assuming Waiters proves worthy of more than the mid-level exception, it could prove challenging for the Thunder to replace him if he signs elsewhere next summer and Oklahoma City elects not to match. The team has nearly $66MM on the books for 2016/17, with projections that show the salary cap at $89MM and a maximum salary for Durant at $24.9MM, with many reportedly believing those numbers will surge even higher. That would leave little opportunity for the Thunder to open cap space to sign a replacement if they don’t use their Bird rights on Waiters to retain him.
Do you think the Thunder will keep Waiters beyond this season? Leave a comment to let us know.
He wants to go to Philly
Man can we use him……
Why do the thunder even want this guy? Aren’t there better options out there?
Agreed. The last thing they need is another inefficient volume shooter, let him walk and draft a SG this year. I thought they should have signed Rasual Butler before the spurs picked him up. Waiters clearly isn’t the answer though, he makes JR Smiths shot selection look amazing.
No, Waiters thinks he’s better than he is, and has a funky attitude.
No, I think he’s kinda of a ball hog like Reggie Jackson became. If the ball is in his hands there’s an 80% he’s going to pass up a higher percentage shot for his team mates and he’ll shot the ball. He’s not a team player but interested in his personal stats. Supposedly, with the Thunder’s new offence sharing the ball is suppose be a key element. I don’t see how Waiters will fit plus he and agent are probably chasing the money.
I hope they let him go……He was no help to the thunder and won’t be any help……..Can we say trade?
I wouldn’t expect to get much in return at this point. Im really not sure where he would even be a good fit. Philly was mentioned by somebody but as badly as they need guards I doubt they think he could actually be part of the core they choose to keep around. His game is built for China, he should just go there and average 45 points lol
I cant believe these comments. Do you guys watch basketball games? seriously
I’m with EmmanueL. I can’t believe this is a discussion. His attitude is well documented. His raw numbers are ugly. His handle is loose. He’s a capable athlete but unwilling defender. And his value numbers reflect all this with a 12.7 PER and a VORP of -1.5. That’s correct, he’s worse than Replacement Level. Let him go to Philly, chuck 7 for 24 every night and average 20 points. BYE.
GUYS, DID U SEE HIM RECENTLY??!!! HE HAS BEEN PASSING THE BALL, SHOOTING WHEN NEEDED, AND STARTED TO PLAY DEFENCE. AT THE RIGHT PRICE, THUNDER SHOULD DEFINITELY KEEP HIM. I LOVE DION!!!
I think we can trade him for beal because I just read the Wizards aren’t trying to resign him because they want Durant. Which by the way isn’t happening. But lately Waiters been balling. (Spurs game)
Dion waiters is changing the way he plays this year. He will definitely be a lot better this year. It’s only been 3 games but he’s already showing it this year.