5:18 pm: Whitehead did indeed sign an Exhibit 10 contract, confirms Keith Smith of Spotrac (via Twitter).
10:21 am: Four days after being waived by the Nets, former first-round pick Dariq Whitehead has signed with the Thunder, the team announced today.
A 6’7″ wing, Whitehead was a consensus five-star high school recruit who spent a single season at Duke in 2022/23. He was drafted 22nd overall by Brooklyn in 2023, but only played in 22 NBA games during his first two years in the league, averaging 5.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per contest.
A series of injuries have derailed Whitehead’s NBA career so far. After undergoing a pair of surgeries on his right foot before being drafted, he had another procedure in January 2024 to address a stress reaction in his left shin, ending his rookie season early.
The Nets opted to waive Whitehead this fall even though his $3.26MM salary for the coming season was fully guaranteed. That money remained on Brooklyn’s cap after the 21-year-old cleared waivers earlier this week.
Whitehead’s new deal with the Thunder will likely be an Exhibit 10 contract, lining him up to receive a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he becomes an affiliate player for the Oklahoma City Blue and spends at least 60 days with OKC’s G League team.
The G League also figures to be the next stop for Cameron Brown, the forward who signed with the Thunder on Thursday. Brown was waived today in order to make room on the roster for Whitehead, per the club.
G League
Makes you wonder why Nets would cut Whithead. Who has guaranteed money. Is still young. On a team that needs any talent they can find.
Maybe getting away from home will help him.
The Nets might have decided his timeline is behind a lot of the guys they drafted and that eating his salary was the best way to ensure they remain above the floor.
They have a plethora of young guards and he wasn’t showing out in preseason or practice for that matter.
Dariq lost his confidence as a 3 level scorer due to his injury, and turned into a stationary spot corner three point shooter.
Saw him a Duke Practice he looked amazing. Derrick Lively said he was the best he had seen.
Going to be able to rehab, get right, get actual coaching from one of the best organizations and contribute in a year. He could be an Isiah Joe replacement, since he was benched in playoffs.