Spencer Dinwiddie is heading to Charlotte. The veteran guard has agreed to a one-year deal with the Hornets, league sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Dinwiddie, now entering his 12th NBA season, gives the Hornets something they’ve lacked in recent years: a reliable, seasoned floor general who’s seen just about everything the league can throw at him. With LaMelo Ball still developing and coming off multiple injury-shortened seasons, Charlotte’s front office clearly saw value in bringing in someone who can help steady the ship.
Last season with the Mavericks, Dinwiddie played in 79 games-starting 30-and posted 11 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game. When he did start, those numbers jumped to 14.3 points and 6.2 assists, proving he can still deliver when given a larger role.
A Backcourt in Need of Balance
The Hornets are betting that Dinwiddie’s mix of experience, composure, and playmaking can complement their high-upside roster. It’s a low-risk, high-impact signing that gives first-year head coach Charles Lee a dependable option in a backcourt full of young, unpolished talent. According to The Athletic,Dinwiddie had several offers but chose Charlotte for the opportunity to play meaningful minutes and take on a leadership role.
He’s been here before-well, not in Charlotte, but in the position of reshaping his career. After impactful stretches in Brooklyn and Dallas (remember his sixth-man role during the Mavs’ 2022 Western Conference Finals run?), Dinwiddie’s journey has taken him across the league: Detroit, Washington, Dallas, Brooklyn again, and most recently Los Angeles.
With the Lakers, he never quite found his rhythm, averaging just 6.5 points per game and playing limited minutes in the postseason. But a fresh start in Charlotte may be just what he needs.
Charlotte, meanwhile, is trying to rebound from a 21-win season and an identity crisis. With plenty of cap space and a young core still finding its way, Dinwiddie could be the bridge between the present and whatever comes next.
As Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer noted earlier this week, the Hornets are actively searching for players who can boost both locker room culture and on-court performance. Dinwiddie checks both boxes-and does so without demanding the spotlight.
The deal is expected to become official once the NBA’s signing moratorium is lifted later this week.
Read the full article here
