12:28 pm: The move is official, according to a Hornets press release.
12:08 pm: Just three months after signing a guaranteed contract with the Hornets as a free agent, veteran point guard Spencer Dinwiddie is being waived, according to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Dinwiddie agreed to terms with Charlotte early in free agency on a one-year, minimum-salary deal and officially finalized that agreement on July 13. Because his salary was guaranteed, the 32-year-old will still receive his full $3,634,153, while the Hornets will carry $2,296,274 in dead money on their cap, assuming Dinwiddie goes unclaimed on waivers.
An 11-year NBA veteran, Dinwiddie played a more significant role than expected in Dallas last season due to the Luka Doncic trade and a series of injuries affecting guards like Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum. He was one of the only Mavericks players who made it through the season without dealing with any major health issues.
In 79 games (30 starts), Dinwiddie averaged 11.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 27.0 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .416/.334/.802. All of those numbers were in the ballpark of his career rates.
The Hornets’ decision to sign Dinwiddie in July was a little curious, given that the team had already traded for Collin Sexton and agreed to re-sign Tre Mann at that point in the offseason. It appeared the front office was making it a priority to load up on point guard depth after Mann and starter LaMelo Ball missed significant time last season due to injuries.
However, facing a roster crunch this fall and with Ball and Mann both healthy, the Hornets decided that Dinwiddie was the odd man out. He registered six points and six assists in 30 total minutes across two preseason games with the club — Charlotte was outscored by 20 points in those 30 minutes.
Once Dinwiddie is officially placed on waivers, the Hornets will have 14 players on guaranteed contracts, plus center Moussa Diabate on a non-guaranteed deal. There had been speculation that Pat Connaughton would be the roster casualty in Charlotte, but unless more moves are coming in the next few days, it looks like the former Buck is now on track to make the team’s regular season roster.
Seth Curry out, Dinwiddie in?
hell no
Knicks?? I know the Kings are probably thinking they should’ve waited, but Dinwiddie and Westbrook are both equally washed.
Westbrook is far ahead of Spencer right now. 😂
Nope. Brogdon’s retirement uncomplicated their situation, leaving Shamet and Diawara as the last two they can put on the roster and keep under the apron. If they really wanted Dinwiddie, they have to cut anyone without any guarantees. I assume that includes Shamet.
And cryptocurrency is falling. Hope he got this paycheck in dollars.
He wants all nickels and dimes now
oh no, its dropped to $108,000 per bitcoin!!! what a tragedy. Im sure all those people who bought one for $200 in 2019 are crying right now lol
US Dollar slowly bleeds $DXY
@ Davey, right lol. It’s up like 60% over the past year
Weird move considering the talk from the Hornets about trying to be competitive this year. Although he’s up and down, he’s a good player to have on a roster especially on a team with a lot of unknowns. He’s a guy that can win you a few games
No. He hasn’t been good in quite a while. He can really only add value in a deliberate half court set offense.. and even then he’s meh.
He can still drop 20 on any given night, believe he had a few 30 pts games last year too..and we’re also talking about the hornets too. I agree with you if we are talking contenders, but a team just trying to get into the playoffs for some experience, I don’t see the downside
The Hornets mistake was giving Sion James a guaranteed contract out of the gate.
The Hornets should’ve given Sion James a two-way contract, to make him prove himself first.
Sion James on a two-way would’ve allowed for them to keep DinWiddie.
It’s not like there’s going to be playing time for Sion with Brandon Miller and Josh Green ahead of him.
Dumb move. Rather have Spencer than Collin on this team but whatever
It’s guaranteed $ so Dinwiddie can double his money if he can find another home quickly.
He would make sense in Dallas (especially since Exum is hurt again already), but I don’t believe they can afford another minimum. OH! Brandon Williams has been sidelined with a hamstring and is only 200K guaranteed?
Probably a better player for the Knicks to roster than Kolek.
PHX needs a PG.
Indiana is currently kicking the tires on Cam Payne.
I never understood that signing.