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Dave McMenamin, ESPN writer
LOS ANGELES — Free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers when he clears waivers, a source familiar with his plans confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
Dinwiddie, 30, was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Toronto Raptors for Dennis Schröder and Thaddeus Young on Thursday and was later waived by Toronto. Dinwiddie will clear waivers at 5 p.m. ET.
The 10-year veteran attended the Lakers' 139-122 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday with his agent, Jason Glushon of Glushon Sports Management, and sat down with Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager, Rob Pelinka, for a Q&A. A luxury suite on the lower level is located directly across from the Lakers bench. After the game, he visited the Lakers players and coaches in the locker room.
D'Angelo Russell, who played with Dinwiddie in Brooklyn, hinted that a move was imminent.
“I'm a fan,” Russell told ESPN when asked what type of person Dinwiddie is. “But you'll all get to know him soon.”
Dinwiddie is averaging 12.6 points on 39.1% shooting (32% from 3) and 6.0 assists in 48 games for the Nets this season.
LeBron James was asked what Dinwiddie could offer if he came to Los Angeles
“Playmaking, another ball handler, another shot maker,” James said. “Another guy, another veteran. Anytime you can add a veteran with that ability, it helps. So we'll see what happens.”
Anthony Davis also endorsed Dinwiddie.
“He's a big-time guard, shot-maker and playmaker,” Davis said of the 6-5 Dinwiddie. “Obviously we saw what he did with Brooklyn, what he did with Dallas where he played big games for them. He's an established player in the league.”
Dinwiddie, a Los Angeles native, narrowed down his decision on whether to reunite with the Dallas Mavericks or return to his hometown before ultimately choosing the Lakers, sources told ESPN.
Sources told ESPN that Dinwiddie will make approximately $1.5 million for the remainder of the season. The Lakers were able to offer slightly more than the veteran's prorated minimum by adding additional salary saved from Gabe Vincent's mid-level exception, which Vincent signed for less than the full mid-level exception.
After a quiet trade deadline, Pelinka pledged to be “aggressive” in the takeover market. Los Angeles already had an open roster spot, so Dinwiddie is able to sign without the Lakers moving any players to accommodate him.
With Vincent sidelined for most of the season with a knee injury and Los Angeles currently without Cam Reddish (knee) and Max Christie (ankle), Dinwiddie – at the very least – would bring roster depth to a team riddled with injuries. .
Dinwiddie's plan to sign with Los Angeles was first reported by The Athletic.
