Spencer Dinwiddie was waived after being traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the Toronto Raptors, making him an NBA free agent. He narrowed his choice for his next team down to rejoining the Dallas Mavericks or his hometown Los Angeles Lakers. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Lakers despite the Mavs having more money to spend.
After his first practice as a member of the Lakers on Monday, Dinwiddie explained to reporters he chose the Lakers due to the challenge that playing for the team provides.
“Let’s say you’re a kid, and you get your a-- whupped by the bully,” Dinwiddie said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Dallas would have been like your mama, like, ‘It’s OK, baby.’ … Lakers are like your dad: ‘Nah, you better go out there and fight ’til you win.’ You feel me? I just felt like that was what I needed at the time.”
After starting the season with the Nets, Dinwiddie averaged 12.6 points and six assists per game, both declines from last season. He will be relied on as a backcourt option to help push the Lakers to success as they navigate being in the play-in tournament seeding of the Western Conference, currently holding a 28-26 record and ranking ninth.
The recruitment to the Lakers included efforts from several players, including Christian Wood, a former teammate from Dallas—however, Dinwiddie credits LeBron James as the decisive factor in his decision to join the team. Despite Wood’s influence, Dinwiddie humorously remarked that the ultimate credit for his move went to James, underscoring the star’s influential role.
“How the hell are we going to give C-Wood the credit? Bro what are we doing,” Dinwiddie said. “Look, C-Wood was impactful, I’m giving the credit to Bron.”
Opting for the Lakers over the Mavericks, Dinwiddie now faces the challenge of helping his new team surpass Dallas and others in the race for a playoff berth, fully embracing the competitive spirit of his new environment.
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