Mark Daigneault offers best wishes for Josh Giddey, Lindy Waters III

Even though free agency hasn’t begun yet, there’s already been a roster shakeup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Two notable players who’ve been in OKC for years have been moved in recent weeks.

Josh Giddey was shipped to the Chicago Bulls. The 21-year-old asked out after he refused to come off the bench next season. He now gets a fresh start as a primary ball-handler.

The Thunder also traded Lindy Waters III to the Golden State Warriors in the first of several draft moves to add Ajay Mitchell with the No. 38 selection of the 2024 NBA draft.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has close relationships with both players as they’ve been in OKC for the past three seasons. The Coach of the Year winner offered his best wishes to both individuals.

“I want to thank Josh and Lindy,” Daigneault said. “Obviously, we made those transactions recently since the last time I talked to you. Both great ambassadors for the program. Had a great impact on the program.”

Daigneault noted — despite how extremely volatile last season — Giddey helped the Thunder ascend into a contender in the last three years as a starter.

“Josh was a high pick. Somebody that started his career with us,” Daigneault said. “Had a lot of production and a lot of influence over our playstyle and outcomes over the last couple of years.”

In terms of Waters III, Daigneault said he worked his butt off to be an undrafted two-way player to cheap depth for the Warriors, who picked up his $2.2 million option.

“And Lindy is a great program guy,” Daigneault said. “To take a guy that was basically a tryout player with the Blue and worked his way all the way through the program to the point where he’s now an NBA player teams want to trade for is aggressive.”

As the Thunder turn into contenders, expect roster turnover to be high. The only mainstays will be the trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.

“We’re going to miss those guys,” Daigneault said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the contributions they had.”