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After a spectacular 2019 and 2020 season, Spencer Dinwiddie seemed like the perfect fit alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving before suffering a torn ACL in the third game of their 2021 campaign. It seemed that his value regressed with the amount of games he missed after the Washington Wizards executed a sign-and-trade deal in acquiring him for three years, $60 million to pair him in the backcourt with Bradley Beal.
It was questionable for him to reward him with a huge deal as a ball-dominant player alongside Beal as he was used to handling the ball majority of the ball with the Nets. There have been rumors that Dinwiddie is having trouble with his relationships with his current Wizards teammates. As he is just on his first year of his contract, it must be the time for Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard to listen to some offers for Dinwiddie, especially if they remain adamant in continuing to build around Beal.
Even with their constant struggles as a franchise, the New Orleans Pelicans have expressed their desire to be buyers in the trade deadline for guards who could instantly bolster their roster. It could possibly be the ploy of convincing Zion Williamson to sign long term after his rookie deal expires. De'Aaron Fox, CJ McCollum, and Eric Gordon, and Kevin Huerter have been linked to the Pelicans already, but another name who would boost their performance is Dinwiddie.
Devonte' Graham was acquired through a sign-and-trade in the offseason, but he has been underwhelming with his performance this year. Graham could spearhead the offense of the second unit with Dinwiddie moving onto the first unit with Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, and eventually Williamson when he returns. The Pelicans offensive sets have been questionable under the tutelage of Willie Green, but making a deal with the Wizards for Dinwiddie could address that issue instantly.
With another MVP-caliber season for Serbian Nikola Jokic without his supporting cast of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., the Denver Nuggets could utilize another sensational shot creator on their squad. Monte Morris, Facundo Campazzo, and Austin Rivers are reliable role players, but their skill level is not enough to propel the Nuggets to a top four seed in the tough Western Conference.
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Dinwiddie has the track record to prove that he could complement the arsenal of Jokic by averaging 20 points and close to seven assists per game in his 2020 stint with Brooklyn. Having the ball in the hands of Dinwiddie would be an advantage for Denver because it would lessen the focus and burn on Jokic as the season progresses. Additionally, when Murray and Porter Jr. return, Dinwiddie will the freedom to run the offensive of the second unit with the likes of Rivers Jeff Green, and Bryn Forbes.
With the recent drought of the New York Knicks as they have dropped to 12th in the Eastern Conference, they are in dire need of any sort of move that would enhance their team on both ends. Derrick Rose would not possess any sort of enticing value to Washington, but Leon Rose could possibly offer Alec Burks or Kemba Walker along with a big like Nerlens Noel.
Noel could be used as a piece in another deal if their other centers are not dealt by the deadline, but Burks or Walker has a chance to mesh well with their franchise cornerstone in Beal. The money committed to Dinwiddie is a bit too much for his value and impact on the floor, so having two movable and interesting pieces could be the more brilliant move for the Wizards front office. For Dinwiddie's role in New York, he could be the guard that could finally be the answer in running the offensive sets for Thibodeau due to his scoring prowess and admirable confidence.
Dinwiddie's situation in Washington is not an ideal one, especially as the frustration and disappointment starts settling in. There have been no serious reports on any franchise having inkling on seriously pursuing him, but there could be a couple of teams that could suddenly raise their offers and fit into their culture and system.
