Lindy Waters III is taking his game overseas.
The former Oklahoma City Thunder guard has signed with the CBA’s Beijing Ducks, continuing his pro career in China after a five-year run in the NBA. Waters III is 29 and now moves on to the next stop after spending the first decade-plus of his basketball life in Oklahoma.
Waters III’s NBA path started with the Thunder, where he spent three seasons from 2021-24. Much of that stretch came on two-way deals, and he also logged a significant amount of time with the G League’s OKC Blue. He became one of those steady development stories, with his outside shot helping him earn several cups of NBA coffee.
After leaving Oklahoma City, Waters III bounced around the league. He spent time with the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs across the next two seasons from 2024-26. In his NBA career, he averaged 4.6 points and shot 36.3% from 3 on 3.4 attempts.
His roots run deep in the state. Waters III played four collegiate seasons at Oklahoma State from 2016-20, suited up in high school at Norman and also had a stint with the semi-pro Enid Outlaws before his G League tryout with the Thunder paid off.
Now he heads to the Chinese Basketball Association with a clear goal: make enough noise to land another NBA contract. If that doesn’t happen, the international route could become the next chapter.
For Thunder fans who watched him come through during the rebuild years, Waters III was one of the more enjoyable stories to follow. He got to play for his hometown NBA team and, by the end, made the most of what he had as a shooter.
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