Unreal stat reveals why Mavericks can't afford to abandon polarizing veteran

When the Dallas Mavericks signed Spencer Dinwiddie to a one-year veteran minimum deal last offseason, it was a move that fans were ecstatic about following Dallas' NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics. Dinwiddie won Mavericks fans over in the 2022 NBA Playoffs with his knockdown shooting, clutch play, and ability to play with or without Luka Doncic next to him, and they desperately needed more guard depth and shooting after being exposed in the finals by Boston.

Dinwiddie ended up having an up-and-down homecoming year in Dallas, averaging 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 33.4 percent from downtown, and now, Nico Harrison has a big decision to make when it comes to Dinwiddie's future.

Dinwiddie is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and most fans seem to be split on whether they want him back in Dallas.

Dinwiddie's availability makes him someone Mavs should bring back

On one hand, Dinwiddie was someone who could go off for 20 or more points when they needed him to play extended minutes due to injuries, but on the other hand, he called his own number far too often in clutch situations and was criminally inconsistent. He would often follow up a productive game with a handful of average ones, and Jason Kidd never knew what he was going to get out of him when he stepped onto the floor.

The Spencer Dinwiddie experience was filled with ups and downs and twists and turns during the 2024-25 season, but one key stat reveals why Harrison shouldn't let him leave this summer.

Dinwiddie played in a team-high 79 games last season, and the Mavericks desperately need this type of availability from their guard room next season since Kyrie Irving is set to miss multiple months after he tore his ACL toward the end of last season. Injuries were clearly one of Dallas' biggest problems last season, and they ultimately led to their downfall. This is one area they wouldn't have to worry about if they brought back Dinwiddie, and it would seem like a major risk to let him walk.

Over the last three years, Dinwiddie has averaged 78 games played per season, and you can't beat that when it comes to your veteran point guard being available. Availability is the best ability, and if they can secure Dinwiddie for a cheap contract, they shouldn't pass it up.

In the best-case scenario, Dinwiddie wouldn't be playing heavy minutes every single night, and they'd know they can rely upon him to be healthy in most scenarios. This wouldn't negate Dallas' need to sign another high-level guard who can operate out of the pick and roll and create his own shot, but if they did bring back Dinwiddie, he'd be one of the better end-of-the-bench guards in the NBA.

It remains to be unseen if Dallas and Dinwiddie have mutual interest in a reunion, and the Mavericks may just be able to strike up a nice deal with him if they're aligned when it comes to his role and money.