NBA Rumors: Dinwiddie, Walker, Simmons, Sexton

Spencer Dinwiddie had a relatively quiet 2020-21 campaign. He’s in line to change that this offseason.

The 28-year-old guard sat out for nearly all of this season after suffering a partial ACL tear. There were rumblings that he could return late in the Nets’ playoff run but before that theory was put to the test, Brooklyn was sent packing at the hands of the Bucks.

Now in offseason mode and cleared for basketball-related activities, Dinwiddie has declined the player option on his contract for next season. In reference to a long-term deal, Dinwiddie “wants the bag” per Kristian Winfield of New York Daily News. Below is an excerpt from Winfield’s report.

“Dinwiddie, however, is unlikely to return to the Nets after taking a below-market-value three-year deal worth around $34 million. A source told The Daily News the combo guard wants to go home, or ‘wants the bag.’ ‘Home is the preferred destination,’ the source told The Daily News. ‘But he wants to secure his financial future, too.'”

For Dinwiddie, home would be Los Angeles. Neither the Clippers nor Lakers have the immediate cap space to sign him, though. Winfield adds that a sign-and-trade is the only realistic possibility. Less than two years ago, the former Piston and Net averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game. He’ll make his next team happy, but it remains to be seen which squad that will be.

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In the same article, Winfield also reports that yet another Kemba Walker trade could be on the horizon. Walker was recently acquired by the Thunder in a trade with the Celtics, but it’s unclear just how long Oklahoma City will hold on to the 31-year-old former star. Injuries have plagued Walker recently, robbing him of the athleticism that made him stand out so much as a younger player.
With each passing day, it seems that more and more “Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid cannot coexist” takes are being spewed. The latest rendition takes the form of a compelling argument from Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix. The longtime sportswriter notes that Simmons must commit to overhauling his jump shot, also adding that a change of scenery is what’s best for his career at this point.
Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton could be on the move in the near future, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo. In his NBA Combine Notebook, Woo cites league sources informing him that Cleveland has begun exploring trade options with Sexton’s name attached. With the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, as well as the emergence of Darius Garland on their hands, it may be advantageous for the Cavs to recoup what they can for a dynamic scorer such as Sexton.