This offseason, the Dallas Mavericks prioritized expanding their guard depth off the bench.
While Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving played outstanding guard play for Dallas throughout the playoffs, their play from the bench was lacking. Even though Jaden Hardy had a few outstanding performances, Dante Exum’s play was unimpressive.
The Mavs signed Spencer Dinwiddie to a one-year contract in order to solve the issue of neither guard being able to maintain consistency into the playoffs. Dinwiddie secured the final roster slot for Dallas, and the Mavericks now have a reliable backup point guard.
Dinwiddie signing events Lakers have lost to the Mavericks three straight times.
Dinwiddie played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 10.5 points, 4.7 assists, and 39.2 percent shooting from the field per game.
Although Dinwiddie did not have the most productive season, his job with the Lakers was very different from that of the Nets. Dinwiddie was reduced to a 3-and-D guard and saw little time with the ball.
Additionally, he did not start, which was a significant departure from his two seasons in Brooklyn and Dallas prior. While all eyes are on the Mavericks for their underappreciated trade for Dinwiddie, some have also been on the Lakers as Dallas has once again humiliated them.
3. Dinwiddie favors the Mavericks over the Lakers
In the midst of the previous season, Dinwiddie was a free agent after being bought out, and the Mavs expressed interest in him. Dallas was interested in Dinwiddie, but he signed with the Lakers.
At the time, this decision infuriated Mavs supporters, but Dallas pulled off the ultimate reverse card this summer by signing Dinwiddie despite the Lakers. Although the Lakers expressed interest in having him return, he finally made the decision to sign with Dallas.
For the Mavs, this was huge news since they had defeated the Lakers to sign a free agent who was on their radar. After being unpopular a few years ago, Dallas is now becoming a popular destination for free agents.
The fact that Dallas offers players a winning culture and a new family makes the team appealing to players, but Dallas has already outperformed the Lakers in free agency when Dinwiddie signed with the Mavs.
Dallas’ identity for the upcoming season will be shaped by these three actions, which have also occurred twice recently.