KEY POINTS

  • Magic and Pistons tried to trade for Dinwiddie
  • Dinwiddie could move this summer
  • Dinwiddie may be dispensable with Irving around

The NBA trade deadline is done and over with but a lot of "what ifs" remain in the air. The Brooklyn Nets were hardly active in trade talks but it appears that at least two teams were in pursuit of guard Spencer Dinwiddie. They were the Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons.

That alleged courtship never really made headlines. And obviously, the Nets were not interested in a deal. Also, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. With Kyrie Irving likely out for the season due to a shoulder injury, Dinwiddie has now become an important player for head coach Kenny Atkinson.

According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Magic and Pistons expressed interest in the 26-year-old guard. Of the two, the Magic seemed to be the only team that made sense mainly because they are still in the thick of things for the NBA postseason wars. For the Pistons, it would have been part of their rebuilding efforts with the 2019-20 season out of their grasp. Nothing went down by the NBA trade deadline but both teams could rekindle interest in the summer.

In the midst of possible moves this NBA offseason, Begley went on to name-drop Aaron Gordon as a potential player the Magic would offer to the Nets. Gordon is best known as the player who lost to Derrick Jones Jr. in the slam dunk contest during the NBA All-Star break. As far as team play, some NBA executives believe he could be a good fit for the Nets.

Moving Dinwiddie makes sense for the Nets this summer. With Kyrie Irving around, using him as a backup may not work out for long. The 6-foot-6 guard plays fairly similar to Uncle Drew, a ball-dominant guard that may not pan out once Irving and Kevin Durant are back to 100 percent health.

This season, Dinwiddie has played in 57 games, averaging 20.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists per Basketball-Reference.com. He is playing 31.4 minutes per contest, something that could increase with Irving likely out for the season. He is set to make $10 million this NBA season and has two years left on his $34 million three-year deal. Dinwiddie has a player option in 2021-22 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2022.

The fact that Dinwiddie could opt out of his deal in 2021 may be another reason why the Nets may want to trade him. With Irving around, the 38th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft knows he is due a big raise. He is unlikely to get a lucrative deal in Brooklyn, something the Magic or any other team could dangle.

Spencer Dinwiddie
Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the third quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on Jan. 14, 2019 in Brooklyn. Sarah Stier/Getty Images