Former Nets Guard Dariq Whitehead Signs with Oklahoma City Thunder

The entire arc of the former Duke standout's career may have changed with this one move. Oklahoma City develops young talent unlike any of their rivals, in or out of conference. And Whitehead had it good under Head Coach Jordi Fernandez as is. Now he gets to grow in an organization that turned Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams into a title-winning trio.

He'll now be headed toward real success, and Brooklyn shouldn't be upset about that in the slightest, and here's why.

Because the timelines are so vastly different, the expectations and procedures are just as unique. The Nets don't have a "guy," at least as of today. Their primary developmental focus needs to be on their franchise face, whoever that may end up being.

The Thunder already have their franchise face. In fact, they have three of them, who are surrounded by top-tier role players. Beyond the core that fans have come to know, Oklahoma City has also added Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber in the last two years, and they'll now be joined by Whitehead during player development sessions.

Since the roster is already of the highest caliber, the Thunder can afford to make a player like Whitehead a priority. Until the Nets find their own Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren or Williams, they won't have the luxury of dedicating real resources into an often-injured former first-rounder.

Given the irony of a Net joining the Thunder—two squads that have been linked due to their relentless efforts to accumulate draft capital amid rebuilds—perhaps one day Whitehead could return, of course, after he wins multiple titles alongside Oklahoma City's big three.

That's just a joke, obviously, but it wouldn't be surprising whatsoever to see Whitehead blossom into the player he was supposed to in Brooklyn. It'll be tough to get on the floor, especially with all that talent on one roster, but maybe the departure from New York City will serve as further motivation.

Now in a better environment, health dependent, Whitehead has the opportunity to fulfill the potential he put on display as a Blue Devil three years ago.