The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Spencer Dinwiddie via the buyout market. The Toronto Raptors waived the veteran guard after being included in the deal that sent Dennis Schroder to the Brooklyn Nets.
Dinwiddie will provide the Lakers with the additional ball-handler the team needs. He also gives LeBron James the extra veteran he was hoping for.
During his postgame news conference following the Lakers win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, James shared his thoughts on what Dinwiddie will bring to the roster.
“Playmaking, another ball handler, another shot-maker,” James said. “Another veteran. Any time you can add a veteran that good, it helps.”
Dinwiddie will provide competition to D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. He brings size and playmaking to a Lakers roster that has struggled to break teams down in the halfcourt. However, there may be some concerns over his 39.1 percentage shooting this season.
Nevertheless, Dinwiddie was signed until the end of the season. There’s no long-term commitment from the Lakers front office. If things don’t work out, he didn’t cost them any assets to acquire. It will be an easy fix in the summer.
Yet, if he finds a role for himself and begins to impress, Rob Pelinka will earn plaudits for his restraint at the Feb. 8 trade deadline. His decision to stand pat has been rewarded by the addition of Dinwiddie.
When Gabe Vincent returns from injury, both guard positions will be one of the strongest areas of the Lakers roster. Dinwiddie can play both the one and the two. So can Reaves, and so can Vincent. There’s versatility amongst that quartet.
James wanted some fresh talent added to the roster. Dinwiddie may not be what he had in mind, but his wish was granted nevertheless. Whether Dinwiddie emerges as the missing piece to Darvin Ham’s rotation will remain to be seen.
However, the Lakers roster is now set. The talent they have is the talent that will be expected to contend for a championship this season.
Then James will face his decision: opt into his player option, renegotiate with the Lakers or head to a new home.
