Lindy Waters III, once a promising sharpshooter for the Golden State Warriors, has found a new NBA home, landing with the San Antonio Spurs on a one-year deal, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move, coming just three weeks into free agency, pairs the 27-year-old guard with rising superstar Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and a Spurs squad brimming with young talent poised to shake up the Western Conference.
Waters’ journey with the Warriors began just over a year ago when Golden State acquired him in a draft-day trade, sacrificing the 52nd overall pick before cleverly re-acquiring it to draft promising center Quinten Post. Initially, Waters seemed like a steal, having been underutilized in a crowded Oklahoma City Thunder rotation. The 6’6” guard wasted no time making his mark, electrifying fans with a game-winning 3-point buzzer-beater in Golden State’s preseason opener against the L.A. Clippers. That night, he drained five triples on seven attempts, finishing with a game-high 15 points in just 15 minutes.
Waters carried that momentum into the regular season, delivering a standout performance against the New Orleans Pelicans in early November. Dropping 21 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing four assists on 8-of-13 shooting, he powered the Warriors to a commanding 124-106 victory. His early contributions earned him a starting role after De’Anthony Melton’s season-ending injury, but the fairy tale soon unraveled.
A GAME WINNING BUZZER-BEATER IN NBA PRE-SEASON 🔥
Lindy Waters III wins it for the Warriors 😤 pic.twitter.com/iOZyukVdL5
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 6, 2024
Brought in as a deadly long-range shooter, Waters struggled to find his rhythm, finishing his Warriors tenure with a disappointing 33.1% from beyond the arc on nearly four attempts per game. After 38 games, including nine starts, Waters was shipped to the Detroit Pistons in February as part of the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade.
Waters’ time in Detroit was forgettable. Averaging just 8.8 minutes across 14 regular-season games, he struggled to carve out a role. Come playoff time, he was glued to the bench, failing to log a single minute in the Pistons’ six-game first-round loss to the New York Knicks. With his stock plummeting, Waters entered free agency searching for a chance to revive his career.
Now, Waters joins a Spurs team bursting with potential but crowded with young guards vying for minutes. With Wembanyama anchoring the roster and Fox orchestrating the offense, San Antonio is building a foundation for future dominance. However, their backcourt depth could make it challenging for Waters to secure consistent playing time. The Spurs’ relative lack of reliable outside shooting might be his saving grace, offering a niche for the sharpshooter to rediscover his stroke.
At 27, Waters is at a crossroads. His ability to stretch the floor could complement Wembanyama’s interior dominance, but he’ll need to outshine the Spurs’ stable of young talent to earn a meaningful role. After a whirlwind year of highs and lows, Waters is banking on San Antonio’s youth movement to help him reclaim his place in the NBA.