The Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to sign guard Alex Abrines to a three-year deal worth $18 million, sources confirmed to ESPN.com.
The agreement was first reported by EuroHoops.net.
Abrines, 22, was selected 32nd overall by the Thunder in the 2013 draft but remained with FC Barcelona for the past three seasons. Last season, he won the Euroleague Rising Star award (top under-22 player in Europe), topping 76ers lottery pick Dario Saric for the honor. Past winners include Ricky Rubio, Danilo Gallinari and Nikola Mirotic.
Abrines signed a long-term deal with Barcelona last year through 2019 and will have to pay a $2.2 million buyout to be released from his contract. The Thunder are allowed to contribute $650,000 toward the buyout.
The Thunder have been high on the 6-foot-6 Spanish guard's development the past couple of seasons, but Abrines was not expected to join the team this season. However, with the departure of Kevin Durant, both cap space and apparent playing time has opened the door for Abrines to make the jump. His signing also likely signals the likely end of Dion Waiters' tenure with the Thunder. Waiters, 24, is a restricted free agent, and has yet to ink an offer sheet with anyone, but unless the deal is a bargain, the Thunder are unlikely to match.
Without Durant, the Thunder are in desperate need of perimeter shooting, and Abrines is known primarily as a marksman -- he hit 41.7 percent from 3 last season for Barcelona -- but has a well-rounded offensive skill set and sneaky athleticism. His struggle will likely be on the defensive end, as scouts have said he needs to get stronger to guard at the NBA level.
Abrines will compete for Spain in the upcoming Olympic Games in Brazil.