4 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' blowout win over Bucks in preseason finale

5. Dud - Spencer Dinwiddie

From early on in the preseason, Spencer Dinwiddie has not looked like the player who helped lead the Mavs to the Western Conference Finals in 2022. Dinwiddie wasn't great after he left the Mavs during his stint with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers, and his struggles from those spots continued into the preseason with Dallas.

The Mavs need him to be a trusted ball handler considering that Dante Exum is out for the next three months after undergoing wrist surgery, but that has been one area that Dinwiddie has struggled with thus far. There is no assertiveness or sense of direction when he is handling the rock, and his finishing around the rim has been way down.

Against Milwaukee, Dinwiddie finished with eight points while shooting 3-8 from the field, and it seems clear that Jaden Hardy deserves the backup point guard spot over him. Both players' contracts expire after this season, and regardless of who is playing better right now, they'll both be forced to step up during Exum's absence.

One part of Dinwiddie's game that should be just fine though is his 3-point shooting off the catch. That was one of his strengths during his time in Los Angeles, and he should be able to keep that up during the regular season.

Dinwiddie ultimately got some shots to fall in the second half, but his play has been way behind what fans expected after the signing.

Dallas' hope of Dinwiddie being a reliable spot starter when needed isn't looking reliable right now, but he should see his play improve once Luka Doncic returns to the lineup.