The NBA preseason provides teams with an opportunity to try out players and see whether any might be able to stick on their roster. And, in a few cases, some could even crack the rotation despite not being signed with the intention to do so.
That could very well be the case for recently added San Antonio Spurs guard Lindy Waters. Waters has impressed in the team's first three preseason games, living up to his reputation as a knockdown shooter, drilling 50% of his 16 3-point attempts thus far.
The obvious caveat is that it's only preseason, and teams often play unusual lineups with young or unproven players on the court. Nevertheless, he has four years of NBA experience, with Waters previously having played for the Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons.
He also has a career 37.5% 3-point percentage, which proves that he is a consistent shooter. Assuming that he makes the roster, then he could eventually find his way into the rotation given his shooting ability and San Antonio's lack of shooting.
Lindy Waters has a chance to earn minutes on the Spurs
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That would be all the more surprising considering the Spurs are already stacked at guard with De'Aaron Fox, Steph Castle, Dylan Harper, and Devin Vassell. Finding regular minutes might be challenging for him, but it's not impossible.
San Antonio has traditionally played 9 or 10 players every game, and there will inevitably be injuries or rest games. That could open the door for Waters to get spot minutes and prove himself as a key player off the bench.
The Spurs are sure to need shooters, and he gives them something they are light on. It's not hard to think he could earn five minutes here or there and there and make the most of his opportunity.
There is also the possibility of a midseason trade in which the Spurs look to consolidate their rotation. The Spurs could potentially target a high-profile player like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Lauri Markkanen, but it would require multiple Spurs players to be traded in return for a star.
In which case, Vassell and [Keldon Johnson could find themselves on the move,](https://airalamo.com/-not-even-training-camp-but-spurs-already-have-keldon-johnson-problem) and Waters could find a more permanent spot in the rotation. Historically, sharpshooting guards have done well in San Antonio. And Waters could be next in line if he continues to prove himself to be a knockdown shooter.