The Oklahoma City Thunder have rescinded their qualifying offer to Dion Waters, officially making him an unrestricted free agent, reports The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski — and, according to him, the Brooklyn Nets might be interested.
Sources on @TheVertical: Oklahoma City has rescinded qualifying offer on Dion Waiters, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.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
As an unrestricted free agent, Waiters becomes a much more intriguing target to teams — especially Brooklyn and Philadelphia.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 19, 2016
Of course, if the Nets are truly interested, this means that teams can sign Waiters to a deal and Oklahoma City no longer reserves the right to match any offer. So, essentially, no pacing around your home for 72 hours like everybody did with the Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson offer sheets — you did that too, right?
For the Thunder, the move is a way to free up money for a long-term commitment to Russell Westbrook. Should Westbrook be ready to re-sign, or for whatever other salary cap-related reason, the Thunder were wise to rescind Waiters’ QO. If Waiters was to suddenly accept the QO, he’d stay with the Thunder for one more season at 125% of his salary in 2015-2016 before automatically becoming an unrestricted free agent the following summer.
That, of course, would throw a wrench in any immediate plans with the All-Star point guard should there be a necessary move in the near future. With ample cap space and reported interest earlier in free agency, the Nets may be one of the teams who takes a flier on Dion Waiters.
But, last night, NetsDaily was quick to douse that fire, expressing doubt about any interest from the Nets’ front office, especially given the current roster makeup.
The Nets have agreed to deals with 15 players for the 2016-2017 season and a move, whether via trade or buyout, would be necessary for any other additions. Furthermore, it appears as if the Nets’ “Plan B,” thus far, seems to be retaining payroll flexibility heading into this season.
