While the excitement surrounding the NBA’s 2021 free agency class has quieted over the past several months, one of the most highly-coveted targets remains Spencer Dinwiddie.
It is confirmed that the 28-year-old will be turning down his $12.3 million player option for next season and instead test the free-agent waters after an unfortunate year with the Brooklyn Nets. The guard played in just three regular-season games in 2020-21 before suffering a partially torn ACL injury, ending his season entirely as the Nets would eventually go onto the second round of th NBA playoffs and lose to the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games.
With three games under his belt this season, Dinwiddie’s value is certainly clouded. Teams are rightfully unsure of what his worth might be on the open market, complicated by his ACL injury and looming questions regarding whether or not he can get back to playing like his old self by next season.
In 2019-20, Dinwiddie was impressive by averaging 20.6 points on .415/.308/.778 shooting splits, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game.
Hopeful that they could potentially get production like that from Dinwiddie following the extra time off from surgery, several teams with spending money might be willing to take a gamble on him. The Athletic’s Shams Charania recently reported that the guard had been cleared to return to all basketball activities, which will interest teams further. Dinwiddie stands as one of the best upcoming free agents at the position for teams desperately needing a boost in the backcourt.
Could the Brooklyn Nets keep Spencer Dinwiddie in 2021 NBA Free Agency?
General manager Sean Marks did not exactly sound too committable when discussing the guard’s upcoming free agency during a recent press conference. Following Brooklyn’s heartbreaking postseason loss to Milwaukee, Marks spoke about the situation and what the future may hold for the 28-year-old guard. Transcribed by Kristian Winfield of The Daily News:
"“We’ll deal with Spencer when the time comes,” Nets GM Sean Marks said in his end-of-the-season press conference. “And, obviously Spencer has put himself in a position to secure his future long-term. We’d obviously love to play a role in that, whether that’s here or whether we can help him. But you know, we’ll focus on that at a later date.”"
Dinwiddie will be looking for a nice raise after declining his option, and the Nets could look to negotiate a deal. Yet, there are certainly some questions bound to arise, the most significant of them all – aside from the dollar amount – would be his role. Dinwiddie’s injury prevented him from ever seeing the court with both Kyrie Irving and James Harden on the roster, and there could be concerns about where he fits into that mix when everyone is healthy.
Would Dinwiddie be willing to accept a bench role on the Nets if he were to be compensated for it? Who knows, but probably not. He would be competing for a championship by staying, but a more prominent role might also factor into his decision. Yet, the thought of sticking around in Brooklyn and playing next to Irving, Harden, and Kevin Durant to compete for a title has to sound compelling to some degree. Staying put would be a solid option for the guard, but it remains a stretch right now that it will ultimately happen.
It seems reasonable to believe that Dinwiddie could genuinely leave the Nets this offseason, and here are four opposing teams that should make a run at him if he does take his talents elsewhere.
The New York Knicks could fill their point guard vacancy with Spencer Dinwiddie in 2021 NBA Free Agency
It would be a quick-moving process for Dinwiddie if he were to leave the Brooklyn Nets for the New York Knicks.
The Knicks have served as a turnstile for point guards over the past several years, with names like Derrick Rose (twice), Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Elfrid Payton all making the rounds with the team. Although Rose provided them with solace in the backcourt during the team’s short-lived playoff run this season, he is set to become a free agent and might be better suited to play a sixth man role if he returns. With more uncertainty at the position brewing, adding a floor general will be among their top priorities this offseason.
They will have many avenues to address this issue, including the NBA Draft, trade market, and in this case, free agency. Lonzo Ball, Kyle Lowry, and Dennis Schröder are names that have floated around through the rumor wire, but Dinwiddie is someone that could easily make his way onto that list of high-end targets. They will have a hefty amount of spending money to utilize, and taking a swing on Dinwiddie would help fill that vacancy this franchise desperately needs to address.
The guard would bring a massive jolt of scoring and playmaking to the starting lineup while providing the Knicks with a household name to help orchestrate the offense. Dinwiddie would form a solid trio alongside first-time All-Star Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett, which would help this team take another step in the right direction under reigning Coach of the Year Tom Thibodeau.
The Miami Heat could bolster their backcourt with Spencer Dinwiddie in 2021 NBA Free Agency
When rumors are swirling about household names potentially on the move in NBA free agency or the trade market, the Miami Heat often listen closely.
That will be the case once again this offseason, but they will have some questions to address internally first, mostly in their backcourt, with several key pieces slated to hit the market. The first uncertainty revolves around Victor Oladipo, who played just four games with the team after being acquired at the trade deadline. Oladipo underwent surgery on his quad tendon, and his health concerns may make Miami cautious about handing him a long-term deal.
Elsewhere in the backcourt are contract decisions involving Kendrick Nunn and Goran Dragic. Nunn will enter restricted free agency, and Miami can match any deal extended in his direction if they choose. Dragic has a team option worth $19.4 million next season, and the Heat might not be convinced they should pick that up when there are other potential options on the free agent market they believe would be better options.
One such answer could be Dinwiddie, who would help shore up their backcourt depth on impact while creating a formidable trio alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Dinwiddie could give the Heat a scoring punch and take playmaking pressure off Miami’s top two players. SNY insider Ian Begley reported earlier this season that the Heat had an interest in trading for Dinwiddie before this year’s deadline. Given that the guard will now be much healthier, it is not far-fetched to believe that interest is still alive within the organization.
While rumors suggest they are chasing bigger fish like Kawhi Leonard once free agency begins, Dinwiddie would be a solid addition, albeit to a much smaller degree.
The Los Angeles Lakers could form a lethal trio by adding Spencer Dinwiddie in 2021 NBA Free Agency
Among the many lowlights for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2020-21 season, the inconsistent play from starting point guard Dennis Schröder was high on the list.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Schröder reportedly turned down an $84 million extension with Los Angeles earlier in the year, and he did himself no favors with a lackluster playoff run. He never found his footing after being traded to the team last offseason, and all hypothetical signs point to the guard heading elsewhere once free agency begins. Of course, that would leave the Lakers in the market for a point guard to take his place.
If the two parties go their separate ways, Dinwiddie fits the bill in that regard. Playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis would improve his game, all the while playing a key role on a championship-contending team. The biggest roadblock would be getting him on the roster due to LA’s financial limitations, but a potential sign-and-trade would work if the interest were there.
Interestingly enough, Dinwiddie reportedly has some potential interest in heading back home to Los Angeles as the next stop in his NBA career. In the previous reporting regarding Sean Marks, Winfield noted that “home is his preferred destination,” when referencing Dinwiddie’s upcoming free agency decision.
His choices are narrowed down between the LA Clippers and Lakers, and both pose compelling fits for the guard. However, with the Clippers having several point guards already secured on their roster and Reggie Jackson seemingly playing his way into a massive contract extension during these playoffs, the Lakers could swoop in and sign Dinwiddie once NBA free agency kicks off.
The Chicago Bulls could finally add a point guard in Spencer Dinwiddie in 2021 NBA Free Agency
Missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, the Chicago Bulls have an important offseason ahead of them.
They have formed a top-tier tandem in Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević after trading for the big man before last season’s deadline, but the rest of the supporting cast is questionable. Much like the aforementioned Knicks, the one thing that could genuinely help take this team to the next level would be a playmaking floor general. This newly instated front office regime has shown that they are not afraid to make big splashes, and there could be more waiting to be made in the forthcoming NBA free agency.
Enter Spencer Dinwiddie. The guard would be a prime candidate to throw into the mix and help bring Chicago back to playoff contention. He would thrive as a perfect complement to Chicago’s All-Star duo of LaVine and Vučević by giving them a massive upgrade at the point guard position. Dinwiddie would fill that third scoring role perfectly while also putting that playmaking prowess to good use alongside two gifted offensive players.
The Bulls are legitimately one or two pieces away from re-entering the playoff picture, and Dinwiddie should certainly be a prime candidate for them. The guard had a brief stint with the team that lasted five preseason games in 2016, and they should look to pursue a reunion under far different circumstances.