Mavericks youngster is as good as gone after Spencer Dinwiddie signing
By Noah Weber
The Dallas Mavericks waited a couple of weeks to fill their final roster spot after a busy start to free agency that included them signing Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall, and the silence finally broke on Monday when they signed Spencer Dinwiddie to a one-year deal.
Dinwiddie decided to sign with Dallas despite interest in him returning from the Los Angeles Lakers, and this was the ultimate reverse card considering that Dinwiddie could have joined the Mavs last season but chose the Lakers.
Dallas had been searching for more backcourt depth, and this move solidifies that and gives them a spot starter who can create for others who also knows the system. While Mavs fans are ecstatic about the Dinwiddie addition, one Mavs young forward could be on his way out the door following this move.
There's no room on Mavericks for A.J. Lawson after Spencer Dinwiddie signing
The Dinwiddie signing filled up the Mavs' roster as he was the 15th player, but considering that Markieff Morris looks to be coming back for sure, that means that someone has to be cut to make room for him.
The player who would most likely get cut seems to be A.J. Lawson, as he is on a non-guaranteed contract and is the most expendable player on the roster. Despite the potential that Lawson has flashed over the last two seasons, cutting him to make room for Morris seems like the most likely outcome.
Morris is a proven veteran leader that the Mavs are set on bringing back, and his voice in the locker room was extremely influential last season. He was one to step up and talk to his teammates when things got tough, and Jason Kidd even named him as the team's MVP due to his impact from the bench.
Morris' teammates seem to love him, and his leadership is something that holds the team together. He always seemed confident that he'd be back, and reports reflect that as well.
This is definitely a tough situation considering that the Mavs would be abandoning Lawson for someone who won't be used in the rotation in Morris, but Lawson likely wouldn't get any minutes either.
The writing on the wall was for Lawson to be cut once it was reported that the Mavs wanted to add backcourt depth while also retaining Morris, and only time will tell if that move comes to fruition.
Dinwiddie and Morris would be an outstanding final two additions to a successful summer for the Mavericks, and the clock is ticking to see what they decide to do next.
For all the latest on Spencer Dinwiddie and the Dallas Mavericks all offseason long, stay tuned as we'll have you covered.