The Nets have come to a crossroads with Spencer Dinwiddie, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post, and now they’ll have a decision to make. Fortunately, they have options.
One option would be to re-sign the 28-year-old guard, but between their depth at the position and Dinwiddie’s vocalized desire for either a big payday or a return to his home of Southern California, that may not be in the cards. Dinwiddie has been very open about the process.
“If Brooklyn wants to use my Bird Rights and sign me, I’d be thankful to be back and be able to go and try to win,” he said. “And if not, then as an unrestricted free agent you can kinda choose where you wanna go. It’s an interesting situation to be in.”
If the Nets don’t re-sign him, there are two choices: let him walk, potentially across the bridge to the Knicks, who have the cap space to sign him, or try to sign-and-trade him to a destination of his choice, though it’s unlikely such a move would bring back equal value, Lewis writes.
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
- NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg examines whether the Celtics should extend Marcus Smart this summer, in the wake of head coach Ime Udoka‘s comments referring to Smart as a “foundational piece.” Smart is the only starting-caliber guard currently on the Celtics’ roster, and is eligible for a four-year extension worth up to a maximum of $77.2MM.
- The Knicks have struggled for years to match their ambitions in superstar-hunting with their ability to attract such talent. That may be changing, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. “I think having [head coach Tom] Thibodeau there will help the Knicks a great deal in free agency,’’ former Magic coach Steve Clifford said. “He has a great reputation connecting with players and, of course, winning.”
- Scott O’Neil, CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the Sixers, has stepped down from his position after eight years, the team announced on Wednesday. “I would like to thank (Sixers owners) Josh Harris and David Blitzer for inspiring, engaging and empowering me to bring together the most talented executive team in sports and entertainment,” O’Neil said. “Josh and David are extraordinary leaders, partners and friends.” O’Neil is also selling his silent limited partnership, reports Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
76ers spent the most money for management and coaches this year
Every manager gets top pay checks
They could become the first team to pay repeater tax if they are not careful on players salary
For the Knicks, I would rather have the cap space/flexibility than Dinwiddie. He’s going to demand too much money and I don’t think he’s that big of a game changer, especially coming off an injury.
Knicks need a major point guard upgrade for sure, but rushing out to sign Dinwiddie because he’s (probably) the best available isn’t a smart move. They’re still rebuilding and should be patient. Dinwiddie isn’t a superstar that can put the Knicks deep into the playoffs, so I’d pass.
Yeah he seems highly over rated to me. Don’t see the appeal at all. 41% from the field and 32% from 3p. Can’t believe anyone is talking about giving him 20M a year. Then again there are a lot of terrible GMs and gullible owners
No one is giving him 20 mill coming off an injury. Best bet is he gets two yrs to prove himself at 15-18 mill. Then at 29 can get a 5 yr deal. He was Nets best player and has gotten better every yr. Definitely worth 15-18 mill. Best FA PG out there. Only way they overpay, is if their is multiple teams that want him. Pistons, Bulls, Pels, Knicks, Lakers. I like him for Knicks. He plays both ways. Is a Thibs kind of player. Dinwiddie can start for us.
Berman again making himself look foolish. Why exactly would Knicks be big gm hunting. When they are worse team in league. Who would want to come here. It’s an incredible assumption to think KD and Kyrie turned us down. They never even gave it a thought, why would they. Now that Thibs has done something. All writers and wannabe fans are coming out of the woodwork. It’s been one yr. Slow your roll you incompetent souls. We got plenty time to build a contender. Starts with draft this yr. And deciding on Toppin and Quickly. Deciding on FAs. Draft is up first. I expect a trade to move up. Get a player that can help NOW. There are a few. Plus we must replace Noel. He will walk, he deserves a payday. And we got at least one big FA signing. Dinwiddie
Giving this dude 15-18M is only slightly less dumb than $20M if he’s only worth $10M. Putting up a bunch of points inefficiently can be done by almost any player in the NBA. Just give them a bunch of shots
Yeah you got it. You ever watch him play. I doubt you know his history. Or that he made 12.5 last yr and opted out. You think this is about dollars. Yeah stay tuned and learn
His history means nothing to me and I don’t care how much he made last year. If he made $50M lst year doesn’t mean it’s a good move to give it to him again this year. The bottom line is that he’s a career 41% shooter from 2 and 32 from 3. Those are not good figures in the modern nba. Real life is not a video game. But sure let the Knicks give him big money so they can go out in the 1st round again and give up cap space that could be used for better players and purposes
First off 15-18 mill for two yrs us market value. And for Knicks it’s pocket change. Next he was 20 and 7 last yr and is a career 80% FT shooter. Career says about his teams not necessarily him. Learn something and try Caring. That’s when you learn. That stat is meaningless if you ACTUALLY watched him play. He was Nets closer and leader. He was also a Knick killer. But his size and scoring PG skills mesh well here. He is 28 a young g vet do fits in. He knows NY so is not new or intimidated. It’s fine you may not like him for us. But at least know something about him. I’d take you more serious
Career Stats say more about team than him? So Zach Lavigne being an efficient shooter means his team was good? Come on dude. Bad teams don’t make someone shoot poorly. And 20 points doesn’t meant anything if you are taking a bunch of shots. You gonna tell me Larry Hughes was a star because he scored 20ppg while jacking up a bunch of bad shots. He’s a role player. He’s not even better than Rose which you already have and probably don’t need to give 18M. I’m being practical and not blinded by fandom
Dude it’s not stats. It’s what stats do for team. That’s called team player. PG skills. You know nothing about him except what you googled. Go away . You don’t want to learn. How does Zach get into this. Ha ha bye
You clearly are just speaking from the perspective of a fan and not dealing with reality. Yes I googled his stats, so you know every players stats off the top of your head? I bet not!
I know his gm off top of my head I watched him play at least 60% of the time. I got talent vision cause I actually played it. NY is not for everyone. So there is fit and history. I don’t need to google anything to see talent and who can play. Especially who can play with my team. So again you want to make this about us. Or spread some knowledge instead of all this wack you got. You obviously don’t know Knicks. You obviously don’t know Dinwiddie .but you can read stats on a search. I’m impressed lol.
You certainly aren’t the only person who ever played basketball and that means nothing about evaluating talent. Or else Jordan’s teams wouldn’t have been trash for years. Furthermore you literally just basically stated shooting percentages mean nothing. Madison Square Garden hasn’t been special for years and neither hs the team. It’s just another Arena
I mean, if they could get him on a one or two year deal at $15 million per, sure. But I don’t see that.
And yes, Berman is always a fool. Just cranking out garbage hoping someone will take him seriously.
Look it’s not a crap shoot here. It’s about finding a solid fit. To be part of core. Im not wishing on a star here. Ive done the math for three yrs now. I know Dinwiddie. I like his gm and think he’s a great fit. I get people don’t agree. But shooting % are you Freakin kidding me. Why is it so hard to see him at 18 n 8 on this team. With good team D. Compare that to Payton. And it’s like getting Oscar. He’s the best FA, PG. Explain in basketball terms why he’s not a fit. That’s for all to do.
I understand your perspective. I’m simply saying paying him $20M can tie up valuable cap space on a player that won’t get you any further down the line. Now if you need to sign him for a possible trade I suppose the deal can be made. hell it might be wise to pay him for a possible sign and trade if that’s allowed. One thing I do admit is that sometimes you have to pay players while you have the space just so you can continue to operate above the cap when you start paying players the max. I would actually shoot for Kyle Lowry and Evan Fournier over Spencer actually. Assuming they were possible.
You understand Thibs will address the PG situation. You understand Knicks FO will address the PG situation. No matter what we think or say. So I’m giving an intelligent take on what we need. Dinwiddie imo can’t ask for max. He’s coming off injury and he’s not Kyrie. But someone will pay him 18-20 mill. So if we can’t address the PG in draft or trade. Then you look at FA. I just happen to believe he is a good choice. And I’ve been saying it for yrs. ok I’m not just jumping on bandwagon here. I like Mitchell in draft. But can we really trade up. We can trade up for wing. So again PG most likely gets done thru FA or trade. I want Dinwiddie if it comes to that. I truly believe in his fit here. That’s all
Definitely not the best option. That goes to CP3 and then Conley.
Dinwiddie should shush, he said more about his desired FA destinations than any other 5 rising FAs combined. Everyone knows he’s looking for that big payday, and should be.
Knicks just need to let it play out (something Rose appears very good at). Just because Dinwiddie wants X, Y and Z, doesn’t mean he’s getting it. In fact, if his agents thought he had it wrapped up, then he likely wouldn’t be talking so much. There’s no perfect fit. If he’s the best option available, in terms of talent, fit and price, and the contract is one that we believe has value, then sign him up.
Anyway, this team isn’t going to project to the top 4 in the ECF regardless, and this won’t be the last move they will need to make before that’s the case.
First off addressing PG is the highest priority. Got nothing to do with any player. I’ve given facts over yrs why he’s a fit here. He’s a FA so it’s not costing any picks. Knicks need to And WILL address PG and another scorer. Dinwiddie to me solves one. 18 pts compared to what we got last yr is Genius. He’s a team guy who playsD. Knows NY. I don’t want him at 20 mill. Unless it’s two yrs. I think he’ll take less to get the big contract later. Posters can shoot him down for whatever reason. Then give us a better option. Or is this just about negativity. Tell me why another player is better wiser. He’s the best option to me. Is all
Knicks should use their cap space to their advantage. Offer him a 4 year decending contract. Win for both, higher up front money, and cap flex later on for the Knicks.
OK. I’m not arguing with you. Yes, PG (starter) has to be addressed, and I don’t see the draft doing it. SD is the best of the UFA PGs. Other than price (years and $$), which we need to trust Rose on, my only other issue with SD’s fit as a Knick is defense. With the Nets, he struggled guarding opposing PGs, and it was the main reason why (in the pre-KD era) he was mostly paired with Temple, who’d cross over to cover the opposing PG. I have no issues with SD’s offensive game.
Personally, I’d prefer to see if we can pry Graham (RFA) out of CHA. He’s not a star, but a very solid young player (who’s not a kid), with a game that complements the current group. A true facilitator, good 3 pt shooter and plus defender. He’s not going to break down a defense, and he can struggle to get to the rim, but that’s a strength of others in the current group (notably, D.Rose).
I’d go with the 6-5 guard over the 6-1 guard. Length matters in a league where you can’t think about touching a guy without a foul being called.
I try think someone gives DG a 3 or 4 year deal in the 15M range. Probably CHA.
Length does matter defensively, particularly on the perimeter, but it’s not the only thing that matters. Lateral quickness is at least as important. While length remains important, today’s rules decrease the other traditional benefit of size (strength) in perimeter defense.
Dins is talking a lot just because he does; I doubt it is strategic.
His value is more than stats. He would be ideal for the Knicks and I hope there would not be a lot of disappointment if he signs there. But he is also great for the Bulls, or Mavs, or anyone with capspace room. Very adaptable and can bring a team closer together in effort, a good plan for LaVine or Doncic.
Nobody is going to be disappointed about adding SD in place of Payton.
At this stage, it’s about predicting the likelihood of it happening without chasing him with dollars and years. I’m skeptical. I think SD wants to get paid, as I would if I made as little as he had and is more than halfway through his NBA career. I think the Knicks best chance to get him is in “round 2” negotiations after his going in dreams of 80 mm / 4 years are squashed. So, I think the Knicks need a “round 1” target.
The C’s are going nowhere if they won’t make the hard and necessary moves and trading Smart is the right move I believe he’s a great player but not a starter and has a selfish attitude (look back on some of his comments this season) last yr I said they should never trade him but now I see they must do it
They need a starting pg and a 6th man they have a vet now who will hopefully be the voice of wisdom this team desperately needs
scott o’neil was more concerned with marketing pamphlets than the on course performance. frig off!
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Dinwiddie to the Clips for playoff Rondo lol
Clips would prob love him around just not sure what they wanna give back.
Smart is a “foundational piece,” as in the Celtics expect to get at least a starter-quality player under team control for a few years. You know, like Kyrie, Kemba, or Hayward.
Brogdan, or whichever Pacer the Celtics can get for Smart might be an interesting fit.