NBA Rumors: Lakers May Try Luck With Displaced Brooklyn Nets Guard, Kuzma Exiting?

Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets is reportedly planning to opt out this offseason and try his luck in free agency. One team that could be in play is the Los Angeles Lakers.

If that does happen, it would not be the first time that the Lakers would be linked to the 28-year-old guard. With Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving around, Dinwiddie is likely to see his stock diminish next season.

He has a $12.3 million player option with the Nets. However, he knows that his market value is higher than that if he hooks up with another team. But worth noting here is that he is not at 100%. He played only three games last season after suffering a torn ACL.

Dinwiddie could be better by the offseason if the healing process stays the course. But it remains that teams will be checking if he is back to game shape before they consider him. Could the Lakers be that team?

According to a report, the Lakers could have gotten Dinwiddie at the trade deadline. Kyle Kuzma was part of that three-team deal that also included Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Golden State Warriors.

But had the deal gone through, it would have been a big risk for the Lakers since there was no telling if Dinwiddie could return, assuming the purple and gold made it to the playoffs.

Things are obviously different in the offseason. Kuzma is a name that has been suggested as of late as the Lakers try to pick up the pieces. Los Angeles needs a point guard for next season, especially with the word going around that Dennis Schroder is likely to hit free agency as well.

Hence, Dinwiddie could be a target by the Lakers if he does opt out and test the market. However, it still depends on how well the 6-foot-5 guard can resume playing and hopefully recall his old form. Before the injury and the entry of Brooklyn’s new Big Three, Dinwiddie averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists during the 2019-20 season. He played only three games this season, managing only 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 21.3 minutes of action.

Will Rob Pelinka and Frank Vogel take a chance on Dinwiddie? That may all depend on the price and how well he performs if he is given a workout.