Brooklyn Nets: Clippers could be threat to retaining Spencer Dinwiddie

The Brooklyn Nets have some big decisions to make in the offseason, chief among them the status of guard Spencer Dinwiddie. While he could in theory be an ideal Sixth Man for this team, he opted out of his player option, meaning that he is intent on testing the free agent market in order to prove himself.

Despite the fact that Dinwiddie played in just three games last year due to an ACL tear, he appears determined to secure a lucrative contract for himself, hoping that his performance over the last few seasons warrants such a payday.

Per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, Dinwiddie is hoping that Sean Marks gives him that huge contract, because if he fails to get that deal from Brooklyn, he will be on his back to his native Los Angeles, eyeing a deal with either the Lakers or Tyronn Lue’s Los Angeles Clippers.

Of all of the contending teams who could potentially use someone like Dinwiddie, the Clippers could be very interesting, especially considering how they have leaned on a smaller, shooting-heavy lineup in the postseason. Could the Clippers really end up taking Dinwiddie away from the Nets?

Could the Brooklyn Nets trade Spencer Dinwiddie to the Clippers?

One connection that could give the Clippers an edge is Kenny Atkinson, who became a member of Lue’s staff after getting the boot in Brooklyn. Under Atkinson’s guidance, Dinwiddie evolved from a guard that was stuck down in the G League into one of the more unique guards in the entire league.

Atkinson’s influence on what the Clippers do on offense has become clear in the postseason, and there is reason to believe that Dinwiddie could fit like a glove. He could even end up as the starting point guard, as LA has been looking for an upgrade in that spot for years.

The tough part, unfortunately, comes with actually getting a deal pulled off. Both Los Angeles and Brooklyn are packed to the gills as far as their cap sheet is concerned, and trades for James Harden and Paul George have led to both of these franchises surrendering direct control of their draft future. This makes it almost impossible to add in picks to sweeten the deal.

The Clippers also have a somewhat unusually constructed roster. Everyone that the Nets could want is too integral to the rotation to trade away, while everyone that is just outside of the rotation wouldn’t give the Nets adequate value in exchange for someone that shouldered a ton of the scoring load last year when Kyrie Irving went down.

Still, if the Nets are able to coax a potential starting center or backup point guard out of this swap, all while maintaining as much financial flexibility as they can by sending Dinwiddie elsewhere, this deal will have to be classed as a monumental victory.

The Nets have four draft picks with which they could potentially add some talent to their rotation. If they decide to add a point guard at No. 27 overall, making him the de facto Dinwiddie replacement, they could replicate some of his production at a fraction of the cost, which should represent a very happy medium.

Ultimately, the Nets should at least take a look at bringing Dinwiddie back, as there is a ton that he has left in the tank as both a scorer off the bench and perimeter defender. However, if he is intent on either going to Los Angeles or earning a hefty long-term contract, the least the Nets could do is send him back home and give him a chance to win a championship.

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