Los Angeles Lakers: 3 early targets for the mid-level exception

3. Spencer Dinwiddie

The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets were expected to meet up in the NBA Finals as they were the two teams with the most starpower heading into the NBA Playoffs. However, neither team could escape the injury bug and were upset prior to the Finals — the Lakers in the first round and the Nets in the second round.

Spencer Dinwiddie was one of the earliest injury casualties for the Nets this season, although nobody was not picking the Nets because Dinwiddie was hurt. The 27-year-old guard played only three games this season due to a torn ACL.

Dinwiddie will absolutely be ready for training camp next season so his availability should not be a concern. He will be available on the free-agent market as well, as he reportedly plans to decline his $12.3 million player option.

I know what you are thinking: why would Dinwiddie accept a $3 million pay decrease to take the MLE from a team like the Los Angeles Lakers? That is a valid question as he would make less this season, but he would be securing more years under contract.

Dinwiddie probably thinks that he has a big market out there but that may not be the case. Not many teams have cap space and because of his injury, his price could be driven down to the MLE.

It is still worth it for Dinwiddie to take a three/four-year deal at that price as he guarantees more money for himself after being injured. It also makes sense for him to go to a team where he can start and not lose value playing behind Kyrie Irving.

Dinwiddie would be a huge get on the MLE and while he seems to be worth more than that, it also seemed like Montrezl Harrell would be worth more than that.

And if Dinwiddie is worth money I would not be totally shocked if he leverages his way to LA in a sign-and-trade with the Lakers flipping point guards with the Nets, sending Dennis Schroder to Brooklyn. That is just a hunch.