Charlotte Hornets Waive Guard Spencer Dinwiddie Ahead of Opener

UPDATE: The Charlotte Hornets have just announced the waiver of veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie ahead of next week’s NBA regular-season opener. This surprising move comes just days before the season begins, as the Hornets needed to release a guaranteed salary to finalize their roster.

Dinwiddie, who signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal with Charlotte in early July, appeared in only two preseason games for the team. His performance during the preseason did not meet expectations, prompting the Hornets to make this critical decision.

Last season, the 30-year-old guard had a solid stint as a starter for the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 14.3 points and 6.2 assists over 30 games. However, his overall performance dipped to 11 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 79 appearances throughout the 2024-25 season.

Entering his 12th NBA season, Dinwiddie is known for his pivotal role as the sixth man on the Mavs’ 2022 Western Conference finals team, following his acquisition from the Washington Wizards as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade. His career has also included stints with the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers, where he has averaged 13.0 points and 5.1 assists in 621 games.

The Hornets’ decision to waive Dinwiddie highlights the urgency of finalizing their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this impacts the team’s dynamics moving forward.

As the NBA season approaches, the Hornets will need to find a way to fill the gap left by Dinwiddie, raising questions about their strategy and lineup. The team is expected to make further announcements soon as they finalize their preparations for the highly anticipated opener on October 2023.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.