Spencer Dinwiddie nearing deal with Washington Wizards

Colorado Buffaloes superstar Spencer Dinwiddie has reportedly agreed to sign a three-year, $60 million contract with the Washington Wizards, pending a sign-and-trade.

After falling to the second round, then being waived by the Pistons and Bulls, Dinwiddie became a breakout star on the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets. By his fourth season in Brooklyn, he increased his scoring average to 20.6 points per game, during which development he became a finalist for Most Improved Player and 6th Man of the Year.

Dinwiddie’s 2020-21 season went about as poorly as possible, however. He struggled to adjust to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant commanding the ball, was included in all kinds of James Harden trade talks, then tore his ACL and missed the rest of the season. His recovery was much easier this time than in college, fortunately, and he was pushing for a playoff return.

Dinwiddie’s fit on the superstar Nets was a bit awkward, so it made sense for him to decline his $12.3 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent. Even with his injury and in a market saturated with quality point guards, the L.A. native still cashed out with a huge contract.

Now in Washington, Dinwiddie steps into the starting point guard position. With Bradley Beal in for the long haul, the Wizards are trying to build a contender. They should be more than solid after trading Russell Westbrook for role players Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell (though Trez might be traded again). Holdovers Davis Bertans, Thomas Bryant, Rui Hachimura and Daniel Gafford are figure to fit in a Beal- and Dinwiddie-centric offense.

This signing is not yet official. The Wizards don’t have the cap space to outright sign him, so they are working out a sign-and-trade with the Nets. The move is inevitable, but won’t be official for a while.

Congrats, Spencer!