After missing out on shooting guards Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson, the Brooklyn Nets should pursue unrestricted free agent guard Dion Waiters.
According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Oklahoma City Thunder have rescinded their qualifying offer to shooting guard Dion Waiters:
Sources on @TheVertical: Oklahoma City has rescinded qualifying offer on Dion Waiters, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 19, 2016
He’s the perfect piece for the Brooklyn Nets’ rebuilding project.
The Nets tried to acquire shooting guards Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson, but the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat matched the Nets’ four-year, $75 million and four-year, $50 million offers.
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At the moment, the Nets have second-year pro Rondae Hollis-Jefferson at shooting guard via ESPN’s depth chart.
Due to his 6’7”, 220-pound stature, athleticism, tenacious defense and limited scoring abilities, he’s better suited at small forward over Bojan Bogdanovic.
If the Nets pursue Waiters as aggressively as Crabbe and Johnson, he’s likely to pack his bags for Brooklyn. He can start at the 2-guard position with Hollis-Jefferson shifting over to the 3-spot. Bogdanovic would become the sixth man off the bench.
During the previous postseason, opponents’ shooting percentages dropped nearly 11 percent with Waiters on defense, per NBA.com. He sustained his optimal on-ball and perimeter defense throughout the playoffs as a two-way player off the bench.
With more minutes on a Nets’ roster stripped of top-notch talent, Waiters has enough talent to blossom into a solid starter. It’s not an ideal situation to match him with Jeremy Lin at point guard, but what’s the current alternative?
As mentioned, Hollis-Jefferson’s limited scoring ability would deny Lin easy assists off the dribble. As a spot-up shooter, Bogdanovic doesn’t offer much on the defensive end. Since his Cleveland Cavalier days, Waiters has aspired to take on a larger role in a starting position. With Brooklyn, he’ll find a clear-cut opportunity.
The Nets would likely compete with the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings for Waiters, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:
Representatives for Dion Waiters fielded interest from Kings, Nets, Sixers, Bulls, Heat and OKC on Thursday, per a source
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 1, 2016
Before the Thunder rescinded Waiters’ offer, Sacramento Bee reporter Jason Jones reported the shooting guard’s interest in joining the Sacramento Kings:
One sourced described Waiters as "locked in" on Sacramento. He's restricted so OKC could match so expect any offer sheet to be big
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) July 1, 2016
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Kings have placed small forward Rudy Gay on the trade block:
Greg Monroe and Rudy Gay, league sources say, continue to be two of the NBA's most prominent proven vets known to be available via trade.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 19, 2016
In the most likely scenario, Waiters and the Kings will re-visit talks and come to an agreement. Despite interest from his hometown Sixers, previous contract negotiations subsided with a few obstacles, per Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Keith Pompey.
If Waiters slips past the Kings and 76ers, the Nets could step in as the third option on his list of destinations.
The Thunder could still re-sign him to a long-term deal. However, with all the uncertainty surrounding guard Russell Westbrook, the team needs as much cap flexibility as possible.