Lakers’ Spencer Dinwiddie says ‘everything’ about his Nets exit was mischaracterized

Spencer Dinwiddie flashed a smile and shrugged.

Back at Barclays Center for the first time since his roller-coaster second stint with the Nets ended with a February trade, the now-Lakers guard didn’t hesitate when he was asked if anything about his Brooklyn exit had been mischaracterized.

“Everything,” Dinwiddie said Sunday before the Lakers’ 116-104 win. “Everything. Every. Single. Thing. Everything.”

The Nets’ deadline-day trade of Dinwiddie to the Toronto Raptors, who then waived him, ended an up-and-down partnership in which the veteran guard filled multiple roles for a rebuilding Brooklyn team but never settled into a consistent one this season.

Brooklyn intended to use Ben Simmons as its primary point guard — Dinwiddie’s role down the stretch last season — and made Dinwiddie its starting shooting guard to begin 2023-24. That shooting guard position quickly became more crowded, however, as 22-year-old Cam Thomas repeatedly delivered offensive explosions to start the season.

Dinwiddie, 30, reverted back to point guard once Simmons’ ailing back cost him 38 consecutive games from Nov. 8 to Jan. 27, but as the trade deadline neared, speculation swirled that Dinwiddie wanted out of Brooklyn.

“I know you guys obviously have a job to do,” Dinwiddie told reporters Sunday when asked if he wanted to clarify anything about his exit. “I know that people say what they say from other places, whether it be [an] organization, other positions or whatever. So sometimes, obviously, as a player, things get mischaracterized or your voice gets drowned out. That’s just kind of the situation I ended up in.”

Originally a 2014 second-round pick by the Pistons, Dinwiddie broke out with Brooklyn just as the team began to ascend, averaging 16.8 points for a surprise playoff team in 2018-19 and a career-best 20.6 while playing alongside the newly signed Kyrie Irving in 2019-20.

After five seasons with the Nets, Dinwiddie signed in 2021 with the Wizards, who then shipped him to Dallas in the 2022 trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Washington. The Nets re-acquired Dinwiddie in February 2023 in their trade that sent Irving to the Mavericks.

With Simmons injured, Dinwiddie assumed the Nets’ point guard role for the final 26 games last season and averaged 9.1 assists per game. His 146 assists that March led the NBA.

On Sunday, Dinwiddie offered a diplomatic response about the Nets’ decision not to feature him at point guard entering this season.

“Every organization goes the direction they want to go and feels like they’re gonna do the best job they can for the fans,” Dinwiddie said. “I just hope that, obviously, they continue to do what’s best for the Brooklyn Nets fans.”

After being granted his release by Toronto, Dinwiddie signed with the LeBron James-led Lakers, who improved to 42-33 with Sunday’s win.

The Nets welcomed back Dinwiddie and center Harry Giles, whom they waived in February, with a brief pregame message on the Jumbotron, which received a subdued response from the Barclays Center crowd.

“They got the other jersey on right now, so it’s no praise between the lines, but definitely gonna give them a hug,” Nets interim coach Kevin Ollie said before the game. “I got two good personal relationships with both of them.”

Dinwiddie averaged 12.6 points and 6.0 assists over 48 games, all starts, with the Nets this season. He averaged 6.6 points and 2.7 assists over his first 20 appearances, including three starts, with the Lakers.

On Sunday, Dinwiddie went scoreless on 0-for-2 shooting and added two rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes off the bench. He spent possessions guarding Dennis Schroder, whom the Nets got back in the Dinwiddie trade, as well as Thomas, who led Brooklyn with 30 points.

“It was fun guarding primary people while I was [with Brooklyn], and it’s fun guarding primary people now,” Dinwiddie said. “I understand that my 2024 has been largely about playing defense. On [the Lakers], I think it’s been something that’s been celebrated, appreciated, and I’m looking forward to trying to be a cherry on top to, hopefully, a championship run.”

Asked before the game if he planned to bring extra energy to Sunday’s Brooklyn return, Dinwiddie was again diplomatic.

“It’s Easter Sunday, and my mom told me to stand down,” Dinwiddie said. “I have absolutely zero comment at the moment.”