Brooklyn Nets: Spencer Dinwiddie contract extension helps make Nets future easier

The Brooklyn Nets and Spencer Dinwiddie agreed to terms on a contract extension. The debate on whether to trade or keep the Nets guard is over and it could not be better.

The Brooklyn Nets beat the Philadelphia 76ers on the road earlier this week thanks in large part to Spencer Dinwiddie and his 39 point outburst.

Well, as fate would have it, by the end of the week, Dinwiddie is a rich man with a bright future with the Nets.

Dinwiddie’s NBA journey has been interesting. Even the fact that he is a product of Colorado and in the NBA is rare.

But eventually, he found his way to Brooklyn. Which is now his “home.”

https://twitter.com/SDinwiddie_25/status/1073339000721731586

The Nets and I would like to believe this is in large part to Kenny Atkinson’s ability to get the most out of players, found the best way to tap into Dinwiddie’s potential.

Sometimes in sports, talent alone is not enough to succeed and make a name for yourself. Often, you need the right fit.

Dinwiddie fits in perfectly with the Nets. That goes for this season, and in the future.

For as great of a story has Dinwiddie has been, from journeyman to most improved player nominee, to the staple of a franchise, he is an even better player than a story.

Before last season, Dinwiddie could have been better off had he gotten traded. The Nets were struggling and he was just another guy.

Then, even last year when he burst onto the scene, I would have still argued to trade him.

The Nets could have gotten multiple picks, or even young players to help them get in the right direction.

But, even this year things got confusing.

Injuries made Dinwiddie spend more time in an unfamiliar role. He was starting more games. Even though he is best suited coming off the bench.

Injuries thrust him into the starting lineup more often. It is not that he was playing poorly, he was still decent, it’s just not his role.

But, with things back to the normal, and the Nets back to a normal pace in terms of where they should be record wise, Dinwiddie’s value couldn’t be more clear.

For more background, look at it this way.

The Nets have a lot of decisions to make soon. The Nets need to decide if they want to keep D’Angelo Russell around for the long-term, they have until July to decide that.

But in addition to that, the Nets are going to have more cap space for free agents, will need to decide if they want to keep players like Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen around, and need to start winning.

There are a lot of question marks about this team beyond this season.

One of the biggest elephants in the room was if Dinwiddie was going to get traded or if he was going to stay.

His value right now is the highest it has ever been. The Nets could have maxed out with him in terms of trade return.

Instead, they paid him. Handsomely too.

However, this is a blessing for Nets fan. We now know he is part of their future core. He is the guy who is going to come off the bench and be capable of dropping a 30 bomb any given night.

Keeping a guy like Dinwiddie around, a guy who is best coming off the bench but still has starting experience narrows down the Nets’ needs this offseason.

In July things will get busy in the offices on Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn. But, life just got much easier with Dinwiddie being locked up.

There are fewer needs for the Nets now.

Free agency just much easier, perhaps all they need to do know is spend money on a starter? Maybe a center? Whatever they decide when the market opens up.

But, more importantly, the Nets, who have a lot of future in pieces in place now, now have a narrower list of talent they need to decide to keep around.

This is a benefit. The focus shifts to this.

Spencer Dinwiddie is an asset to the Brooklyn Nets. This contract was a long time coming and it is well-earned.

The Nets had the opportunity and the money to lock up one of their best and most clutch players so they did it.

The Nets plunge towards relevancy just took a huge step. Spencer Dinwiddie is part of the Nets’ future. It is great knowing that now.