The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t up making a move ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. However, they still managed to upgrade their roster for the stretch run, as they benefitted from one of the deals made ahead of the deadline.
The Brooklyn Nets traded Spencer Dinwiddie to the Toronto Raptors, but he never made it north of the border. Almost immediately after the trade was official, the Raptors waived Dinwiddie, making him a free agent.
He wasted very little time in making a decision on where he would play next, as he is heading home to play for the Lakers. He was courted by other teams, such as the Dallas Mavericks, but opted to join the purple and gold for the stretch run of the season.
This is a great pickup by general manager Rob Pelinka. Signing Dinwiddie costs the team nothing more than a roster spot and some money. Any deal they made ahead of the deadline would have cost them other assets, such as draft compensation and players on their roster.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Spencer Dinwiddie, Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
While Dinwiddie is struggling this season with his shot, he is a veteran with a track record of success. He should fit right into their rotation as another scoring option in the backcourt, taking pressure off the top options on the team.
Head coach Darvin Ham is already devising some plans on how he is going to use his new point guard. As shared by Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Ham envisions using Dinwiddie in three-guard lineups with D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. That is a lineup he is going to consider closing games with as well.
That sound you heard was Lakers fans gasping and fans of other NBA teams jumping for joy. If Ham is going to close with three guards that struggle on defense around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they are going to be in for some rough sledding.
Ham was just starting to figure things out when it comes to his rotation, something he has drawn the ire of for constantly changing. But, going with that three-guard lineup will have people around the NBA and Lakers fan base once again questioning if he is the right person for the job.
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