Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie will not pick up his player option with the team this offseason. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Dinwiddie will forgo the $12.3 million option and enter unrestricted free agency.
The news comes following Brooklyn’s elimination from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Dinwiddie tore his ACL just games into the 2021 NBA season, and was unable to return before the end of the Nets’ season.
Dinwiddie will become a free agent this summer, and he expects an annual salary higher than $12.3 million. In a recent interview with Forbes, Dinwiddie said that he expects a salary in the $20-25 million range based on what other point guards recently signed for.
Dinwiddie, 28-years-old, will be entering his eighth NBA season. In his last full season with Brooklyn, he averaged 20.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in 64 games played. Dinwiddie shot 48 percent from two, and 30 percent from deep.
While declining the player option means the Nets could re-sign him using bird rights, it’s unlikely he returns to the team given Brooklyn’s cap sheet. Despite injuries and some questions about his efficiency, Dinwiddie is an above average starting point guard in the league, an opportunity he won’t have with the Nets going forward.
In free agency, what teams could be interested in signing Dinwiddie at his asking price?
While the Clippers have found their way into the Western Conference Finals, the team’s roster is far from perfect. Rajon Rondo, Reggie Jackson and Patrick Beverly have been solid at the point guard spot, but signing Dinwiddie would be an upgrade at the starting position.
He would provide ball-handling and a third scoring option behind Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Also, the two All-NBA wings could pick up Dinwiddie’s slack on defense.
Spencer Dinwiddie and Paul George facing off in 2019. Photo credited to The Oklahoman.
Depending on how the Clippers’ playoff run ends, clearing cap space and upgrading at the starting point guard position could be a smart idea.
The Mavericks are heading into the offseason following another first round playoff loss, and the parting of general manager Donnie Nelson and head coach Rick Carlisle. It will be a crucial summer as the team hopes to build around superstar Luka Doncic.
With large salaries in JJ Redick and Tim Hardaway Jr. coming off the books, Dallas will have many possibilities when it comes to re-tooling their roster. While Doncic will and should be the Mavericks’ primary ball handler, Dinwiddie could provide a secondary scoring and passing option for the team.
Depending on how the front office views Hardaway Jr., Dinwiddie could be a good upgrade for the Dallas backcourt alongside Doncic.
The defending champion Lakers went into the playoffs with an injured Anthony Davis, and ended up losing in the first round. The pressure will be on the front office to upgrade the roster this offseason.
With Dennis Schroder also an unrestricted free agent, the Lakers could choose to sign Dinwiddie as the starting point guard. A good scorer, Dinwiddie could take pressure off of LeBron James and Davis, although his three point shooting could be better. The team also doesn’t have many young prospect or draft assets, so improving through free agency is likely the only option.
A healthy Davis and Dinwiddie next to James could be a strong enough trio to get the Lakers back into contention in an increasingly difficult west.
Featured image credited to New York Times.
Stats credited to basketball-reference.com.
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