LOS ANGELES — Well, after what we saw and heard during the Lakers’ game against New Orleans on Friday night, it seemed academic.
The Lakers were among several playoff teams – including Mavericks – who seriously pursued Dinwiddie with an opportunity for a significant role on the roster. Last time Dinwiddie was in West: pivotal playoff performances on a Western Conference Finals run in 2022. https://t.co/p5c47oxtKE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2024
I wonder how we came to that conclusion!
Spencer Dinwiddie just straight up sitting next to Rob Pelinka 👀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 10, 2024
Will he be a Laker soon?pic.twitter.com/CwrfVFUBjp
More not-so-subtle hints.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis on what Spencer Dinwiddie could bring to the Lakers. When D’Angelo Russell was asked about what Dinwiddie is like, as a former teammate of his, said, “I’m a fan, but ya’ll get to know him soon” pic.twitter.com/tfIMruFC8w
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 10, 2024
D’Angelo Russell on Spencer Dinwiddie: “I’m a fan. Y’all will get to know him soon.” pic.twitter.com/uEBMx7Da5K
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) February 10, 2024
One thing that we oughta remember was that D’Angelo Russell was teammates with Dinwiddie in Brooklyn where Russell thrived and became an all-star after his ill-fated first stint with the Lakers. So there is some familiarity there.
Let’s also remember that Spencer Dinwiddie was a big part of that Dallas Mavericks team in 2022 that went to the Western Conference Finals. So there is also experience in the big-time for Dinwiddie. At the very least, it gives the Lakers another ballhandler, three-point shooter, and playmaker.
How did Dinwiddie end up becoming a free agent? In a weird twist of fate, Toronto traded former Laker guard Dennis Schroder (along with forever NBA player Thaddeus Young) to Brooklyn for Dinwiddie. The Canada Raptors immediately waived Dinwiddie as they had acquired Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett previously in the OG Anunoby deal.
The 30-year-old Dinwiddie entered the league as a second round pick by the Detroit Pistons in 2014. He found a niche in Brooklyn (he averaged 20.6 points per in 2019-20) where he stayed until 2021. Dinwiddie went to Washington before the 2021-22 season as part of a way too complicated 5-team deal that landed Russell Westbrook in Los Angeles. Halfway through that season, he went to Dallas in a deal involving Kristaps Porizingis.
Midway through the 2022-23 season, he was back in Brooklyn as he was traded for his old Nets teammate, Kyrie Irving. And then the trade deadline happened and now he’s in L.A.
The Taft High School product is in the prime of his career and can definitely help out a thinning backcourt depth. Gabe Vincent has not been with the team for most of the season. Cam Reddish has been in and out of the line-up. Max Christie just went out because of an ankle injury. Even D’Angelo Russell has been on the sidelines for some of this season.
Spencer Dinwiddie has been averaging 12.6 points and 6.0 assists this season. Lakers may have not done anything during the trade deadline but they were able to add depth without having to lose anybody, at least.
