Dallas Mavericks Depth Chart: How do team dynamics change with Spencer Dinwiddie & Klay Thompson alongside Luka Doncic?
Free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie is returning to the Dallas Mavericks next season. He played two seasons there from 2021-23 and helped the team reach the Western Conference finals in 2022.
Dinwiddie was traded midseason from the Brooklyn Nets to the LA Lakers, playing 24 minutes per game in 28 outings in LA but only scoring 6.8 points per contest. In Brooklyn last season, Dinwiddie averaged 12.6 points and 6.0 assists per game. In 2022-23, after being traded to Brooklyn from Dallas, he put up 16.5 points and 9.1 assists per game for the Nets.
It's the journeyman guard's second return to a former team as he enters his 11th year with his sixth NBA team. And it's another big move for the Western Conference champions from last year, who already added former Warriors guard Klay Thompson to the mix as they look to return to the NBA Finals next season.
With two more guards heading to Dallas to join Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, the depth chart and team chemistry will need to be carefully addressed.
Spencer Dinwiddie likely to bolster bench for Dallas Mavericks
Spencer Dinwiddie's time in Brooklyn consisted of the best passing seasons of his career and shines a light on how he can contribute as a playmaker this time around for the Mavericks off the bench. But his versatility as a point guard has made him a wildcard throughout his career, with some seasons showing his skills as a passer while others highlight his shot-making ability.
Either way, the Mavericks needed help from their bench last season, especially against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. In their Game 5 loss that ended the series, only Josh Green, who has since been traded to Charlotte, scored more than four points off the bench. Dinwiddie will lead a brand new second unit that also includes Quentin Grimes and Naji Marshall.
In his last role in Dallas, furthermore, Spencer Dinwiddie shot a career-best 40% from 3. It's by far the best shooting of his career; he's shot above 33% from behind the line in just one other season. This means he can slide into Thompson's role seamlessly off the bench if need be.
He'll receive the benefit of playing with either Daniel Gafford or Derrick Lively III in the center position. Both bigs provide different looks for their guards and are effective in a pick-and-roll that they'll use for lobs and open looks for their new sharpshooters.
If Spencer Dinwiddie dials in as a passer and improves on his consistent 40% field goal percentage of the last three years, he could be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Dallas Mavericks predicted depth chart
How will Spencer Dinwiddie impact the Mavs next season? Let us know in the comments section below!