Mavericks make their feelings on Spencer Dinwiddie crystal clear after Hornets deal

The Dallas Mavericks kicked off free agency on Monday night by signing D'Angelo Russell to a two-year deal, and they just lost one of their two free agents to the Charlotte Hornets, as Spencer Dinwiddie signed a one-year deal with the Hornets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Dinwiddie was the Mavericks' only free agent alongside Dante Exum, and Dallas not showing any interest in a Dinwiddie return makes it clear that they never planned on bringing him back to begin with.

Dinwiddie had an up-and-down 2024-25 season with the Mavericks, as it was filled with some great moments as well as some struggles and inconsistency, and every rumor surrounding the Mavericks and their plan to bolster their backcourt after signing Russell shows that they didn't want Dinwiddie to return this summer.

Mavericks didn't prioritize a Spencer Dinwiddie return in free agency

After signing Russell, it has been made clear that Dallas is looking to trade Olivier-Maxence Prosper to create an open roster spot so they can sign Exum to a new deal. It has been known for weeks that Exum and the Mavericks have mutual interest in a return, and to the contrary, there were no reports linking Dinwiddie and the Mavericks to a return in free agency this summer.

It seems as if the Mavericks and Dinwiddie wanted to go in separate directions as last season ended, especially since he was virtually benched in the Mavs' only play-in win over the Sacramento Kings. This showed how Dallas and Dinwiddie weren't on the same page, as he sat on the sidelines during the most important game of the year, and the Mavericks' feelings on him were confirmed by letting him walk to join the Hornets.

If Dallas truly had interest in bringing Dinwiddie back, they could have looked to dump a player in a trade to create an extra roster spot, like they're doing for Exum right now, and it's clear that Nico Harrison is prioritizing bringing back Exum rather than going out of his way to bring back Dinwiddie.

Despite the rough ending to Dinwiddie's time in Dallas, which included him being benched against the Kings, he thoroughly outplayed the veteran minimum contract that he signed before the season began. Dinwiddie led the Mavericks in games played and minutes played, and he was one of the few players who stayed healthy all season long.

Last season for the Mavs, Dinwiddie averaged 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 33.4 percent from downtown. Dinwiddie truly exceeded expectations when considering that he was on a veteran minimum contract, and when analyzing his season in that way, he did his job.

Mavericks fans were notoriously hard on Dinwiddie throughout last season due to some of his on-court decision-making in clutch scenarios, but his reliability and ability to play either guard spot should help the Hornets bounce back after a disappointing 2024-25 season.

The Hornets aced the 2025 NBA Draft, and the addition of Dinwiddie should provide them with some depth behind LaMelo Ball.