The Los Angeles Lakers have successfully secured the services of veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie, finalizing the signing on Saturday, February 10, through the buyout market.
The 30-year-old has been a coveted trade target for the Lakers over the past several years, and now, they've been able to add Dinwiddie to their roster without parting ways with any assets.
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Dinwiddie is arriving in his hometown team. His most recent stint in the NBA saw him playing for the Brooklyn Nets for his second stint with them, where he averaged 12.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists over the 2023-24 NBA season, featuring in 48 games.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have managed to maintain their position in the play-in area beyond the midway point of the season. They hold ninth place in the fiercely competitive Western Conference, boasting a 28-26 record and securing victories in six out of their last 10 games.
The Los Angeles Lakers decided to remain inactive in the lead-up to the NBA's trade deadline for the 2023-24 season, which concluded last Thursday, February 8, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka opted not to pursue any major transactions involving giving up assets, opting to keep the roster nearly unchanged in their pursuit of a deep run in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
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Why Spencer Dinwiddie Signing Is a Bad Move for Los Angeles Lakers
1. Redundancy at the guard spot for the Lakers
Before Dinwiddie's arrival, the Lakers already featured a lineup with six guards, including Max Christie, Austin Reaves, Jalen Hood-Schifino, D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, and Cam Reddish, all of whom have contributed minutes in the guard position.
With Dinwiddie joining the team, he will be an additional presence in the guard rotation of the Lakers, who also has LeBron James doing point guard duties occasionally.
Considering Russell's impressive performance lately, it seems unlikely that the Lakers would use their remaining roster spot on another ball-dominant guard with a high usage rate.
A more strategic move is to bring in a wing player capable of filling in for the injured Jarred Vanderbilt or a big man to enhance depth in the frontcourt.
2. Dinwiddie's shaky three-point shooting
The Lakers need improved three-point shooting, but Dinwiddie's career numbers in this category are less than stellar.
Over his 10-season career, he has maintained a three-point shooting percentage of 33.1%. This season, his performance from beyond the arc stands at 32.0%, highlighting a consistent challenge in his ability to be a high-percentage three-point shooter.
3. Uncertain role spot given Darvin Ham's rotations
Dinwiddie's role with the team remains uncertain, and the situation may be further complicated by the unpredictable rotations of Lakers head coach Darvin Ham.
His integration into the team may take more time, and the Lakers need a quick boost in firepower, given the tight battle in the Western Conference standings.
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