USA Today via Reuters
Jan 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Royce O’Neale (00) and guard Ben Simmons (10) check into the game in the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Royce O’Neale (00) and guard Ben Simmons (10) check into the game in the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
After Spencer Dinwiddie tore his ACL in 2021, the teams were skeptical about offering him a fully guaranteed deal. As a result, he agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract with the Washington Wizards, with his final-year salary partially guaranteed unless he appeared in at least 50 games in 2022–23. Therefore, he would not only receive $20.2 million (cap hit) this season, but he would also receive a $1.5 million bonus that would be added to his $18 million salary for this season due to meeting that 50-game threshold. But who knew this lucrative reward would be something that would land him in free agency?
The former Brooklyn Nets guard was recently traded to the Toronto Raptors for point guard Dennis Schröder and forward Thaddeus Young. Just hours after the deal was finalised, Shams Charanis of The Athletic reported that the Raptors are planning to waive Spencer Dinwiddie due to his “$1.5M upcoming contract bonus for games played.”
To avoid a $1.5M upcoming contract bonus for games played, the Toronto Raptors are planning to waive Spencer Dinwiddie, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Major new entry to the NBA’s buyout market who will be coveted by several playoff teams. pic.twitter.com/ec3oVEBmCZ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2024
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However, Dinwiddie will still have a lot of takers as he now enters the NBA’s buyout market. Even though it has been a comparatively down year for him, the 30-year-old still has a lot of potential to shine in a new role. He’ll thrive in an off-ball capacity, as he did alongside Luka Doncic in Dallas or during his first Brooklyn stint alongside Russell.
Why did the Raptors trade for Spencer Dinwiddie?
Both Schroder and Dinwiddie are performing strikingly similarly this season. Schroder boasts averages of 13.7 points and 6.1 assists per game, while Dinwiddie closely follows with 12.6 points and 6.0 assists per game. The trade decision primarily hinged on Dinwiddie’s expiring contract. Whereas, Schroder still has one year and $13 million left on the two-year, $25.4 million deal he signed with the Raptors this offseason.
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Read More: NBA Trade News: Nets Swoop in To Spoil Dennis Schroder’s Plans For Lakers Reunion
The Raptors have affirmed their commitment to rebuild around first-time All-Star Scottie Barnes by trading OG Anunoby to the Knicks and Pascal Siakam to the Pacers. The trades also brought in a talented group of players including Agbaji, Olynyk, R.J. Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley. With the ongoing overhaul of their roster, the decision to acquire Dinwiddie and subsequently waive him made more sense than retaining Schroder’s contract for another season.
Which team do you think will be Dinwiddie’s next landing spot? Let us know in the comments!
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