Detroit Pistons: Spencer Dinwiddie’s player option
The interesting part of acquiring Spencer Dinwiddie is that he only has a player option remaining for next season. He could potentially opt out and become a free agent, in which case the Pistons could give up some assets for nothing, as he is not going to play this season.
However, coming off injury, it’s unlikely Dinwiddie would turn down a guaranteed $12 million without first showing he can play, as he might not get that much on the open market. There are pros and cons to both.
Pro: If Dinwiddie opts into his final year, which is most likely, the Detroit Pistons could have a classic “buy low, sell high” situation, as they will have essentially given up nothing and Dinwiddie could be an asset if he shows he can play.
This is a guy who averaged 20 points per game last season for the Nets, so if he is healthy, he might get the Detroit Pistons a first-round pick at next year’s deadline. Considering they are unlikely to get a first-rounder for any of their veterans right now, this would be a way to turn them into a first-round pick by taking a moderate risk on Dinwiddie.
Con: What if he opts in and stinks? Then the Detroit Pistons are stuck paying $12 million for a guy who would then probably walk at the end of the season. Their veterans aren’t huge trade assets and unlikely to bring back much but this would literally be giving them away for nothing.
Detroit Pistons: What if Dinwiddie opted out?
Spencer Dinwiddie is a guy who has shown he is willing to take a chance on himself, so he could opt out of his option and hit the open market if he doesn’t want to rebuild his value on the Detroit Pistons.
Pro: If Spencer Dinwiddie opts out, the Pistons get $12 million of cap space and only had to give up two guys who are not part of the future to get it. They wouldn’t have lost much, so they can’t really lose here.
Con: The only way this is really a con for Detroit is if the guys they traded were even better for Brooklyn or there was a chance some other team would have offered more. Troy Weaver is going to be doing his homework over the next few weeks so it’s unlikely that there will be a better deal lurking that he did not consider, so again, this has a far better chance of working out.
If the Detroit Pistons can pick up an asset along with Dinwiddie in the form of a 2nd-round pick, this is a no-brainer.
The Pistons need talent and it doesn’t matter where it comes from. If they can continue to buy low on guys that could be future assets, this is one way to add draft picks to the coffers as you rebuild.
Go for it, Troy, bring Spencer back to Detroit.