Source – Spencer Dinwiddie to join Lakers after clearing waivers،
LOS ANGELES — Free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, a source close to his plans confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
Dinwiddie, 30, was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Raptors on Thursday for Dennis Schroder and Thaddeus Young, then waived by Toronto. Dinwiddie cleared the waivers at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday.
The 10-year veteran attended the Lakers' 139-122 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday with his agent, Jason Glushon of Glushon Sports Management, and sat down with the vice president of basketball operations ball and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka in a lower lounge. luxury level suite directly across from the team bench. After the game, he visited Lakers players and coaches in the locker room.
D'Angelo Russell, who played with Dinwiddie in Brooklyn, suggested the move was imminent.
“I’m a fan,” Russell told ESPN when asked what kind of person Dinwiddie was. “But you will soon meet him.”
Dinwiddie averaged 12.6 points on 39.1% shooting (32% from 3) and 6.0 assists in 48 games for the Nets this season.
LeBron James was asked what Dinwiddie could provide if he came to Los Angeles.
“One playmaker, another ball handler, another shooter,” James said. “Another guy, another veteran. Anytime you can add a veteran with that ability, it helps. So we'll see what happens.”
Anthony Davis also supported Dinwiddie.
“He’s a great guard, shooter and playmaker,” Davis said of the 6-foot-5 Dinwiddie. “Obviously we saw what he did with Brooklyn, what he did with Dallas making big plays for them. He's a well-established player in his league.”
Dinwiddie, a Los Angeles native, narrowed his decision to returning to the Mavericks or returning to his hometown before ultimately choosing the Lakers, sources told ESPN.
He will earn about $1.5 million for the rest of the season, sources said. The Lakers were able to offer a little more than the prorated minimum to veterans by adding additional salary saved when Gabe Vincent signed at a lower level than the full mid-level exception.
After a quiet trade deadline, Pelinka vowed to be “aggressive” in the buyout market. Los Angeles already had a roster spot available, so Dinwiddie can be signed without the Lakers moving any players to accommodate him.
With Vincent out for most of the season due to a knee injury and the Lakers currently missing Cam Reddish (knee) and Max Christie (ankle), Dinwiddie, at the very least, will provide depth to a team riddled with injuries.
Dinwiddie's plan to sign with Los Angeles was first reported by The Athletic.
