Spencer Dinwiddie Expected to Sign with Mavs or Lakers Following Trade Deadline Buyout
NEW YORK CITY — Spencer Dinwiddie filled an essential role for the Dallas Mavericks when they made a run to the Western Conference Finals in 2022. He filled a needed third ball handler role behind Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, stepping into a larger role when injuries occurred in a needed way.
The Mavs included Dinwiddie in the trade to acquire Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets last season, along with Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick, and multiple second-round picks. Dinwiddie was traded to the Toronto Raptors before this year's deadline and will be waived.
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According to Dan Woike of the LA Times, Dinwiddie is "expected to choose between the Lakers and Dallas" after he clears waivers following his release by the Raptors.
"One player the Lakers could still land is Spencer Dinwiddie. Waived by Toronto after his trade from Brooklyn on Thursday, Dinwiddie is expected to choose between the Lakers and Dallas if the Nets buy out his contract, according to multiple people familiar with the situation not authorized to speak publicly."
Dinwiddie, who had already been in New York City since he played against the Mavs at Barclays Center on Tuesday as his final game as a member of the Nets, attended Dallas' game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. He was seated near the Mavs bench and conversed with Mark Cuban at one point.
Dinwiddie, a Los Angeles native, could view playing back at home as a member of the Lakers as an appealing option. However, the Mavs have a better standings outlook and can offer up to $5.3 million to a free agent, while the Lakers are limited to only having $1.5 million to spend. It doesn't hurt that Dinwiddie has not only prior experience playing with Doncic but has succeeded in doing so, too.
One of the Mavs' main issues this season has been the lack of a reliable creator when either Doncic or Irving has to miss games. The team has gone 15-10 when both superstars are available to play but has gone 3-5 without Doncic and 11-11 without Irving. With 52 games played, Dallas has had both members of its backcourt available for less than half of its games. Again, Dinwiddie can step into a more significant role.
Dinwiddie has averaged 12.6 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game this season. After last year's trade deadline, the Nets have struggled to build on their optimism, posting a 20-31 record and being two games out of the play-in picture in the Eastern Conference.
The Mavs acquired P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford before the trade deadline passed, adding needed frontcourt depth around Dereck Lively II. A reliable guard is needed after moving Seth Curry and only having Dante Exum available for three games since January 1 amid a continued knee injury.
