Mavs Free Agent Target Spencer Dinwiddie Meets with Lakers at Game
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks used the NBA trade deadline to acquire P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, but they may not be finished. Spencer Dinwiddie, who will clear waivers on Saturday, remains a buyout market target of interest.
The Mavs and Los Angeles Lakers are widely reported as being among the two teams Dinwiddie will consider signing with following being traded to and waived by the Toronto Raptors. The Lakers are limited to offering $1.5 million, while Dallas can pay him up to around $5.3 million.
Dinwiddie attended the Mavs' victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday after playing his final game as a Brooklyn Net against Dallas two days prior at Barclays Center. He spoke with Mark Cuban and sat by the Mavs' bench as he watched his former teammate, Luka Doncic, lead the way.
On Friday, Dinwiddie traveled to Los Angeles to attend the Lakers' matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com arena. He sat next to general manager Rob Pelinka and agent Jason Glushon.
The sequence of events is challenging for Dinwiddie's financial outlook. He was playing on a three-year, $54 million contract, and since he was waived, whichever team signs him will not have his Bird rights. He would need to sign with a team with cap space to earn more than the midlevel exception this summer.
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Dinwiddie averaged 12.6 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in 48 games with the Nets this season, shooting 39.1 percent from the floor, 32.0 percent from the perimeter, and 78.1 percent on free throws.
Some of Dinwiddie's best balance between statistical output and efficiency occurred during his Mavs tenure. Dinwiddie averaged 16.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 94 games for Dallas in the regular season and playoffs in his career. He often highlighted the value of playing next to Doncic on his efficiency.