A pair of veteran guards found new homes today on the brink of the trade deadline.
First announced by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Brooklyn Nets dealt guard Spencer Dinwiddie to the Toronto Raptors. In exchange, the Raptors sent speedy playmaker Dennis Schroder and wing Thad Young the other way. Neither one of these deals will make the other a contender. As of this trade, Brooklyn is 1.5 games back of Atlanta for the final play-in spot. Toronto is 4.0 games back. However, this does give both teams a bit more flexibility as it pertains to roster fluidity.
Schroder should walk into a starting spot with the Nets immediately. When Toronto acquired the younger Immanuel Quickley, the writing was on the door as it pertained to Schroder’s future with the franchise. Dinwiddie is an expiring contract, meaning that he’ll come off the books and open up more cap space in the offseason for the rebuilding Raptors. Young, at age 35, isn’t much of an impact player anymore.
With that said, he could function as a bit of a mentor for the young Nets before he also eventually becomes a free agent. On the season, Schroder is averaging nearly 14 PPG and 6 APG. Dinwiddie is averaging 12.6 PPG and 6.0 APG in 30.7 minutes.
In theory, the Raptors could try rerouting Dinwiddie to another team before the deadline. Being an LA native and a versatile guard, the Lakers could be a nice fit. However, if the Raptors do just want to cash in on the money coming off the books, they may hold onto the veteran guard.
