Kevin Durant is optimistic about how Dion Waiters will help the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"We are going to make him feel wanted," Durant said. "I don't know that he has felt that the last few years. We want him here and are happy to have him here."

Durant believes Waiters could give the Thunder a similar offensive punch off the bench as what James Harden once provided.

"I am not saying he's James' replacement because we're far past that," Durant said. "But he can play, he can come off the bench for us and score and make plays. He is a really good player. A lot of people take him for granted, I think.

"He's been around, and you hear things about him that are not true. But he can play basketball. He can come out here and be himself, which is aggressive, put pressure on the defense and make plays."