The Charlotte Hornets are parting ways with veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie, less than four months after signing him to a one-year deal. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on October 16 that Charlotte will waive Dinwiddie ahead of the regular-season roster deadline.
Dinwiddie signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Hornets in early July but appeared in only two preseason games. The move trims Charlotte’s roster and clears guaranteed salary space before opening night. According to ESPN, the Hornets faced a decision to release one guaranteed player to reach the 15-man limit and chose to move on from Dinwiddie, who struggled to carve out a role in a crowded backcourt rotation. The Hornets’ backcourt includes All-Star LaMelo Ball, Tre Mann, Josh Green, first-round 2025 NBA Draft pick Kon Knueppel, Collin Sexton, and Pat Connaughton.
### Spencer Dinwiddie’s Short Stint in Charlotte
Dinwiddie joined Charlotte after completing the 2024-25 season with the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 11.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 79 games, logging 27 minutes per contest. This marked an uptick in his production compared to the 2023-24 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he appeared in just 28 games, averaging 6.8 points per game.
The 32-year-old guard entered camp expected to provide second-unit scoring and veteran stability. However, other guards seized their opportunities, and Dinwiddie’s path to playing time narrowed quickly. He scored just six points and recorded six assists across two preseason games (30 total minutes of court time) and did not appear in Charlotte’s final two exhibitions.
The Hornets’ decision to waive Dinwiddie continues a pattern of short-term veteran signings that haven’t stuck, as the franchise leans into youth development. Dinwiddie’s guaranteed contract made him one of the more expensive players competing for a fringe roster spot, prompting the front office to prioritize flexibility over experience.
### A Well-Traveled Career
Dinwiddie is entering his 12th NBA season and has played for six teams: the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Hornets. Across 621 career games (345 starts), he has averaged 13.0 points and 5.1 assists in 27.7 minutes per game.
His best stretch came in the 2019-20 season when he averaged 20.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game for the Brooklyn Nets. The following season, he partially tore his ACL. Since then, he has had up-and-down stretches with several teams. While his scoring average has never reached that peak again, he did have another 17-point scoring season split between Dallas and Brooklyn in 2022-23.
Dinwiddie’s combination of size, shot creation, and pick-and-roll experience still makes him an intriguing option for contenders seeking backcourt depth. Teams in need of veteran guard play—particularly those short on playmaking behind their starters—could take a look once waivers clear.
### What’s Next for Charlotte
Charlotte will likely enter opening night with 15 guaranteed contracts and a focus on giving its younger guards extended minutes. Head coach Charles Lee has emphasized tempo and ball movement this preseason, and trimming the roster ahead of schedule helps finalize roles for the Hornets’ developing core.
The Hornets open the regular season on October 22 against the Brooklyn Nets.
Meanwhile, Dinwiddie becomes an unrestricted free agent and is eligible to sign immediately with another team once he clears waivers.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/hornets-waive-spencer-dinwiddie/
