There were a lot of general managers eyeing Spencer Dinwiddie as a quality point guard they could grab on the free agent market this summer at a fair price. The hardworking point guard out of the University of Colorado has averaged 16.9 points and 4.8 assists for the Nets this season, is shooting 36.8 percent from three, knows how to be a good floor general, and while a lot of fans may not know his name smart front offices around the league saw an above-average point guard that would fit their system.
Which is why the Nets decided to lock him up and not let him leave Brooklyn. The team announced the deal, Dinwiddie himself confirmed it, and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN had the details.
BREAKING: We have reached an agreement in principle with Spencer Dinwiddie on a contract extension. pic.twitter.com/iYLvc8XTNC
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 13, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrWBOuHniPB/
The journey is just beginning. I’m thankful that @brooklynnets believe in me enough to give me a home.#AudienceOfOne @ Brooklyn, New York https://t.co/DPeA4rl7Tp
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) December 13, 2018
Spencer Dinwiddie will get $34M over a three-year extension with Nets, league source tells ESPN. There will be a player option on third year, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 13, 2018
Dinwiddie was eligible for four years, $47M, but sides went with a shorter deal that would get him back into free agency quicker. His new deal will pay him: $10.6M, $11.4M and $12.3M annually starting with the 2019-20 season. https://t.co/XE9XjdpVtr
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 13, 2018
That’s an above the league average but low starter money, and it’s a good deal for Dinwiddie, who is making $1.6 million this year and that’s the largest payday of his career.
If you don’t know what Dinwiddie can do on the court, go ask the Sixers — he dropped 39 on them last night.
📼 Highlights from @SDinwiddie_25's 39-point performance vs. the Sixers#WeGoHard https://t.co/ozHcT6zovr
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 13, 2018
The Nets are trying to build a culture and have a core of smart, solid players to put stars around, and Dinwiddie fits right into this model. They could have tried to lowball him and save some money, but that came with the risk of losing him this summer. The Nets decided to take care of their own instead, a good sign for the franchise.