NBA rumors: Wizards close to stealing Spencer Dinwiddie from Nets

The Washington Wizards are close to signing Spencer Dinwiddie away from the Brooklyn Nets.

Entering day two of 2021 NBA free agency, the Washington Wizards are nearing a deal that would bring Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Spencer Dinwiddie to the nation’s capital.

Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report reports it would be a three-year deal that would pay Dinwiddie roughly $60 million. Though Dinwiddie spent the last five seasons in Nets uniform, he was limited to only three games last year due to injury. Factor in the new big three era of Nets basketball, and he was destined to walk in his free agency anyway. This would be an amazing get for Washington.

If Washington is able to add Dinwiddie, the Wizards’ backcourt just got even more interesting.

NBA free agency: Washington Wizards are honing in on Spencer Dinwiddie

Washington was a playoff team a year ago, but bowed out in the first round to the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. While star shooting guard Bradley Beal had been tied to trade rumors throughout the year, it was his backcourt teammate in point guard Russell Westbrook who got traded. The former UCLA standout is playing for his hometown Los Angeles Lakers going forward.

The Wizards got quite the return in dealing for Westbrook, which netted them Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrell. Possibly adding Dinwiddie here gives the Wizards plenty of depth and firepower in the backcourt. While it remains to be seen if the Wizards can hang with the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat in the division, Washington will stay a playoff team.

Dinwiddie leaving the Nets makes them worse and keeps the Wizards at the least playoff viable.