Fresh off an NBA Finals appearance, the Dallas Mavericks have had an interesting offseason. The team acquired four-time champion Klay Thompson and traded Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons for Quentin Grimes. Currently, Dallas has one roster spot remaining. And it seems that they may be looking at a familiar face to fill that final spot.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein (subscription required), the Mavericks “hold an interest in” a reunion with free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Stein also mentions Dennis Smith Jr., who started his career in Dallas, and Talen Horton-Tucker are two names to monitor for the Mavericks as well. However, Stein made it clear that Dinwiddie is “believed to be the top candidate.”
“Dallas could elect to keep the spot open in the short-term, but league sources say that the Mavericks do hold an interest in re-signing Spencer Dinwiddie. I’m likewise told that Dinwiddie has maintained property in the Dallas area since he was traded to Brooklyn in the Kyrie Irving deal in February 2023 and has interest in a return.”
League sources say that the Mavericks have also considered signing Dennis Smith Jr. and Talen Horton-Tucker, with Dinwiddie believed to be the top candidate.
Dinwiddie previously spent parts of two seasons with Dallas from 2022 to 2023. With Dallas, he averaged 17.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.
Last season, Dinwiddie split his time with the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers. On the year, he averaged 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.
Dallas Mavericks Interested in Bringing Back 10-Year Veteran
Los Angeles Lakers Were Previously Linked to Spencer Dinwiddie
At the beginning of the offseason, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype said that the Lakers and Mavericks were both teams that “expected to have interest in Dinwiddie” this summer.
“Now, the Lakers and Mavericks are once again expected to have interest in Dinwiddie again as he enters free agency, league sources told HoopsHype.”
Furthermore, Jovan Buha and Shams Charania of The Athletic (subscription required) also said the Lakers could pursue Dinwiddie. Additionally, they mentioned wing Gary Trent Jr. as an option for the Lakers as well.
“Gary Trent Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie are two names to watch for if the Lakers clear enough space to use their taxpayer midlevel exception, according to league sources.”
Trent has since signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, whereas Dinwiddie remains a free agent. Though the offseason is still young, it will be interesting to see if either team ends up with Dinwiddie on the roster.
The Last Word on Spencer Dinwiddie
A return to Dallas could be good for both sides. Dinwiddie is a seasoned vet who could help any contending team in the league. He is solid on both ends of the floor and is a great playmaker. On the flip side, the Mavericks just made it to the NBA Finals last season. Despite their loss to the Boston Celtics, the Mavericks had an impressive playoff run. Adding someone like Dinwiddie could help the team get back to the Finals again as soon as next season.
