Dinwiddie: Wizards 'stood out' as fit when deciding next team originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
When Spencer Dinwiddie looked at the landscape of the NBA entering the 2021 offseason, he didn’t want to be left without a chair to sit in.
As Dinwiddie looked at his options, the Wizards stuck out as a team he felt would be a good fit for both himself and the organization.
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“Obviously, free agency is almost like a game of musical chairs,” Dinwiddie said Monday at his introductory press conference. “I think this year’s market was highlighted by point guards, first and foremost Kyle Lowry, in terms of the unrestricted free agents that could make decisions, and also highlighted by the blockbuster Russell Westbrook. When you look at the game of musical chairs and then possible fits, the Wizards really stood out.”
The Wizards added Dinwiddie, 28, via a sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets. That was part of the massive five-team deal, involving the Wizards, Lakers, Nets, Spurs and Pacers, that sent Russell Westbrook to California. It also gave the Wizards some serious depth in Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, Aaron Holiday and the draft rights to Isaiah Todd.
Dinwiddie played just three games last season before he suffered a partially torn ACL. He had hoped to return during the playoffs if the Nets made it far enough, but now, he’s medically cleared to hit the floor.
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In Washington, he’ll join a backcourt with Bradley Beal and form what he envisioned as a successful tandem when choosing on a preferred destination.
“It was a place I wanted to go to, being familiar with Beal and his game, matching up both age-wise and play-style wise,” Dinwiddie said. “It just became a fit that popped on the board pretty recently and I’m blessed to be here.”