The NBA trade deadline passed without the Los Angeles Lakers or Dallas Mavericks making a blockbuster move to improve their title hopes in 2024. However, the upcoming buyout market will reportedly see the Mavericks and Lakers competing for the same player.
Los Angeles didn’t make a single move at the trade deadline. While the Lakers were connected to players like Dejounta Murray, a deal never came to fruition with the front office determining it wasn’t worth sacrificing long-term assets for only moderate help.
Related: Best second-round picks in NBA history
Dallas improved around the margin at the trade deadline. It strengthened its frontcourt with the additions of Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington, adding much-needed depth to the rotation. However, one of the best players Los Angeles and Dallas both have interest in could now be landed on the NBA buyout market.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, both the Lakers and Mavericks are expected to pursue Spencer Dinwiddie in the buyout market in the days to come.
Dinwiddie was traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the Toronto Raptors on Thursday in exchange for Dennis Schroder and Thad Young. Immediately after the deal was made, it was announced that Toronto was buying out Dinwiddie to avoid paying him, $1.5 million he would’ve been owed if he played 4 games with the Raptors.
- Spencer Dinwiddie stats: 12.6 PPG, 6 APG, 3.3 RPG, 39.1% FG
Revealed: Philadelphia 76ers top target on NBA buyout market revealed
The 30-year-old guard has ties to both the Lakers and Mavericks. The 6-foot-5 guard played a combined 76 games in a Mavericks’ uniform from 2021-’22, averaging 17.1 points per game. He’s also a Los Angeles native and has previously been tied to interest from the Lakers’ organization.
With the new CBA limiting the number of playoff contenders that can sign Dinwiddie, the Mavericks and Lakers figure to be tow of the strongest favorites to land him. Whether he signs in Dallas or Los Angeles, his addition will have some influence on the playoff race in the Western Conference.
