Brooklyn Nets to Apply for Disabled Player Exception for Spencer Dinwiddie

The Brooklyn Nets are expected to apply for a disabled player exception for Spencer Dinwiddie who tore the ACL of his right knee on December 27, 2020. If granted, the Nets are entitled to half of Dinwiddie’s salary of $5.7M which they can use to trade for, sign or claim on waivers a player for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. However, the Nets have to clear a roster spot to add a player.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Nets’ luxury tax bill would’ve ballooned from $58.7M to $82.7M in a normal season. But because the luxury tax is based on a percentage of revenue declining, the current tax bill for Brooklyn is $31M. If they use the full disabled player exception, that bill would become $43M.

Coming off His Best Season Ever

Dinwiddie was coming off his best season ever in the NBA. the 27-year old guard averaged 20.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game last season. He started the majority of the campaign as point guard with Kyrie Irving limited by injuries and with Kevin Durant out for the season with an Achilles tear. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 last June and didn’t play in the Orlando bubble tournament.

Spencer Dinwiddie ( @SDinwiddie_25 ) is cold 🥶🥶and underrated 🤯🤯🤯 32 points 11 assists 5 rebounds to beat the Celtics .. Spencer is averaging 20 points 6 assists this season pic.twitter.com/0t8gvOhJL8

— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) November 29, 2019

This season, Dinwiddie started both preseason games and the first three regular season games for Brooklyn. With Kyrie and KD back, he averaged just 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and three assists per game in 21.3 minutes of playing time under first-year head coach Steve Nash.

He suffered the injury during the third quarter of the Nets’ game against the Charlotte Hornets when he drove to the basket against Bismack Biyombo and planted his knee awkwardly. He was initially diagnosed with a knee sprain but an MRI later revealed the ACL tear. Dinwiddie underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last Monday and is expected to make a full recovery. However, by applying for the DPE, the Nets are essentially saying that his season is over.

Nets are 3-4 to Start The Season

Having both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant back has transformed the Nets into instant title contenders this season. According to SportsBetting.ag, Brooklyn is the +120 odds on favorite to win the Atlantic Division, +240 betting favorite to win the Eastern Conference, and second behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the championship odds board at +550. However, Since Dinwiddie has gone down with the ACL injury, the Nets have struggled.

The Nets dropped to 3-4 with the loss 😳 https://t.co/fzMVKcrRbS

— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) January 4, 2021

After an explosive 2-0 start, the Nets are just 1-4 in their last five games and are just 3-4 to start the 2020-21 NBA season. That puts them next to last in the Atlantic Division and just in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Dinwiddie wasn’t putting up big numbers to start the year but his presence in the starting lineup made Brooklyn a very potent offensive team.

Dinwiddie could attack the basket at will, knock down mid-range jumpers with consistency, and could connect from deep occasionally. Outside his scoring skills, he was also a terrific ball-handler who could play the point guard position and make the right passes. Down the stretch, he was also a guy who was not afraid of the big moment.

Tough to Replace Dinwiddie

Right now, the Nets are learning how tough it is to replace Spencer Dinwiddie. While Brooklyn still has tremendous depth in the guard position, but even Caris LeVert doesn’t have the entire Spencer Dinwiddie arsenal and his ability to adapt to whatever role the team needs on a given night.

Kyrie Irving and the Nets are learning how tough it is to replace Spencer Dinwiddie, who is out indefinitely after suffering a partial ACL tear in his right knee. @Krisplashed https://t.co/wTRJaeCwh0

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) December 31, 2020

Dinwiddie was the perfect complement for a guard like Irving as he was versatile enough to take on any identity Steve Nash wanted him to. He could play off the ball while Irving does his playmaking chores. Or he could run the point for the Nets and allow Irving to be a scorer. Dinwiddie’s ability to be a playmaker also allowed Irving to get meaningful rests.

The Brooklyn Nets have two of the best scoring superstars in the game in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. But they are also an example that you can’t win in the NBA with your superstar. Every team needs role players who will help the stars win games. Sure, the Nets have one of the deepest benches in the NBA. But there is always that guy who makes all the little differences every night. Dinwiddie was that guy for the Nets.