2. Spencer Dinwiddie
Although Spencer Dinwiddie never actually played a game for the Bulls, fans may remember he was a part of the team’s development system not too long ago. After two lackluster seasons in the league, the Pistons sent Dinwiddie to Chicago in exchange for the even more disappointing Cameron Bairstow.
Ironically, both players would be waived before they ever actually made it through preseason training camp in 2016. While Bairstow’s NBA dreams would come to an end, however, Dinwiddie was just getting started. The Brooklyn Nets would sign the guard to a three-year deal and he would soon reward their faith in him.
By 2018, Dinwiddie had already earned another extension with the Nets and would once again receive the biggest contract of his career in 2021 when he inked a three-year, $60 million contract in a sign-and-trade to the Wizards. Dinwiddie averaged 18.4 points and 5.6 assists per game from 2018 to 2021, before going down with an ACL injury.
Dinwiddie’s growth was one of the key factors in Brooklyn’s development as a team and ultimately helped attract superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. It’s tough knowing just how badly the Bulls needed quality point guard play during that span, and they could have easily had it all along had they given Dinwiddie a chance.
The Bulls could have a reunion with the guard after all, should LaVine decide he wants to take his talents to Dallas. This deal would likely involve Dinwiddie going to the Bulls, while Dallas attaches draft picks to compensate the third team for absorbing either Tim Hardaway Jr.’s or Davis Bertan’s salary.
While LaVine is undoubtedly a better player than Dinwiddie, the two at least fill the same hole and the veteran PG would have no issue re-integrating with the Bulls as a starting shooting guard. Considering the Philadelphia 76ers received Josh Richardson in return for Jimmy Butler when they were in a similar situation, this feels like a fair return if LaVine is dead set on leaving. While I would like for the Bulls to continue searching for a better deal, they could do far worse than Dinwiddie.