LOS ANGELES — Free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie signed with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers Saturday, the crew introduced.
Dinwiddie, a 30-year-old Los Angeles native, was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Raptors for Dennis Schroder and Thaddeus Younger on Thursday and subsequently waived by Toronto. Dinwiddie cleared waivers at 5 p.m. ET Saturday.
“Spencer is returning to his roots and town the place his journey started,” Lakers vice chairman of basketball operations and common supervisor Rob Pelinka stated in an announcement Saturday. “We welcome him again to his hometown of Los Angeles. We’re thrilled for him to put on the long-lasting Lakers uniform in entrance of his household and pals. His play-making and aggressiveness from the guard place offers us helpful depth as we proceed our robust push towards the back-half of the season. Spencer provides a wealth of expertise to our roster and brings confirmed success within the postseason.”
A ten-year veteran, Dinwiddie attended the Lakers’ 139-122 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday alongside together with his agent, Jason Glushon of Glushon Sports activities Administration, and sat with Pelinka in a lower-level luxurious suite straight throughout from the crew’s bench. After the sport, he visited with Lakers gamers and coaches within the locker room.
D’Angelo Russell, who performed with Dinwiddie in Brooklyn, hinted that this transfer was imminent.
“I am a fan,” Russell informed ESPN when requested about what sort of individual Dinwiddie is. “However you all will get to know him quickly.”
Dinwiddie averaged 12.6 factors on 39.1% taking pictures (32% from 3) and 6.0 assists in 48 video games for the Nets this season.
LeBron James was requested what Dinwiddie may present for the Lakers.
“Playmaking, one other ball handler, one other shot-maker,” James stated. “One other man, one other veteran. Anytime you possibly can add a veteran with that skill, it helps. So we’ll see what occurs.”
Anthony Davis additionally endorsed Dinwiddie.
“He is a giant guard, shot-maker, playmaker,” Davis stated of the 6-foot-5 Dinwiddie. “Clearly, we have seen what he did with Brooklyn, what he did with Dallas making large performs for them. He is a well-established participant of that in his league.”
Dinwiddie narrowed his choice to reuniting with the Mavericks or returning to his hometown earlier than finally selecting the Lakers, sources informed ESPN.
He’ll make roughly $1.5 million for the rest of the season, sources stated. The Lakers have been in a position to supply barely greater than the prorated veterans minimal by including extra wage saved when Gabe Vincent signed at lower than the complete midlevel exception.
After a quiet commerce deadline, Pelinka vowed to be “aggressive” within the buyout market. Los Angeles already had an open roster spot, so Dinwiddie was in a position to be signed with out the Lakers transferring any gamers to accommodate him.
With Vincent sidelined for a lot of the season with a knee damage and the Lakers at the moment lacking Cam Reddish (knee) and Max Christie (ankle), Dinwiddie, on the very least, will convey roster depth to a crew that has been riddled by accidents.
