Having telegraphed all of their moves up to this point, the Dallas Mavericks have signed combo guard Spencer Dinwiddie, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. It will be a one-year deal.
Free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie has agreed on a one-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Dinwiddie reunites with Mavs as an ideal backcourt fit. He averaged 17.4 points in parts of two Dallas seasons and was key on 2022 West Finals team. pic.twitter.com/WPxs6ol73L
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2024
The 10-year veteran has been linked to the Mavs throughout the offseason.
Mavs Make Highly Anticipated Spencer Dinwiddie Addition
Dinwiddie, 31, has played for six teams throughout his career. He previously played with Dallas in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. In that time, he started in 60 of 76 regular season appearances. He also played for the Mavs during their run to the 2022 Western Conference Finals, starting in three playoff games.
Dinwiddie in the Mavs 2022 WCF run:
— 14.2 PPG
— 2.2 3PM
— 41.7 3P%
— 3rd in PTS by a Mav
— 3rd in AST by a MavHe’s back. pic.twitter.com/nmu4zkBMqL
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 22, 2024
The situation may now much different with Kyrie Irving joining Luka Doncic in the backcourt.
At 6-foot-5, Dinwiddie does have enough length to start between Irving (6-foot-2) and Doncic (6-foot-7). Because Doncic’s lack of lateral agility leaves him vulnerable to shifty and athletic scorers, playing him in a point-forward role is a realistic option. There’s a good chance that Klay Thompson starts as well, but because he’s also lost a step, he could thrive as a stretch-four. However, the offensive chemistry would be iffy, as Irving, Doncic, and Dinwiddie are all at their best with the ball in their hands.
Carrying The Bench
The more likely scenario sees Dinwiddie in the second unit. This is a role he’s familiar with, as he’s come off the bench in 253 career games, playoffs included. Of course, Dinwiddie still could play alongside the Mavs’ stars in lineups hyper-focused on scoring.
Nonetheless, Dallas still needs to find ways to rest Doncic and Irving. Averaging 15.0 points and 5.7 assists per game over the past seven seasons, Dinwiddie’s offensive production can help Dallas survive the minutes they play without the dynamic duo. A streaky but timely shooter and effective slasher who can run the pick-and-roll, his talents will come in handy.
The Mavs will likely look to him to lead the scoring charge in the second unit.
Dinwiddie will be joined by Dante Exum, Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, and Dereck Lively II on the bench. In the first unit, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford are projected to start alongside Doncic, Irving and Thompson.
Amazingly, after reaching the 2024 NBA Finals, the Mavs have managed to upgrade their roster as they attempt to make it back.
