Many Los Angeles Lakers fans are very disappointed and even frustrated these days, as the team hasn’t brought in any outside players from other teams this offseason, either via free agency or trade.
Draft picks Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, particularly Knecht, could help the Lakers right away. But they still need another legitimate center and a 3-and-D wing, as well as an upgrade in terms of a ball-handling guard.
They have already lost forward Taurean Prince, who had a very good season for them by shooting 39.6% from 3-point range. Now, one of their few viable options as far as help at the point guard spot may be on the verge of leaving.
Spencer Dinwiddie, whom L.A. picked up from the buyout market in February, is rumored to be interested in joining the Dallas Mavericks, and the interest is reportedly mutual.
“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,” wrote Stein. “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.
“Dinwiddie, who played his high school ball in the San Fernando Valley, chose to sign with his hometown Lakers over a return to the Mavericks last February after he was traded from Brooklyn to Toronto for Dennis Schröder and Thaddeus Young and then bought out.”
While Dinwiddie was a big disappointment during his short tenure with the Lakers, there is a feeling that then-head coach Darvin Ham misused him by not letting him run the offense or attack downhill with the basketball.
He has a history of low shooting percentages, but in parts of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with Dallas, he shot well from the field and just over 40% from 3-point range while playing alongside Luka Doncic. If he were to stay with the Purple and Gold, the hope is that having a strong offensive mind in JJ Redick as head coach could result in a major bump in his production.