LAS VEGAS — Spencer Dinwiddie spoke glowingly about the Mavericks’ depth after their final practice at UNLV, saying it’s perhaps the most talented team he’s ever been on.
That same depth took a brutal hit less than an hour later when it was revealed that Dante Exum sustained a right wrist injury during this week’s training camp. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that the injury is considered serious and could require surgery as the Mavericks evaluate treatment options.
It’s an unfortunate situation for Exum, who was in line to compete for backup point guard minutes behind Luka Doncic, who is also limited in training camp because of a left calf contusion. Exum was a pivotal fixture in the Mavericks’ rotation last season, earning a starting role in January before he suffered a plantar injury that sidelined him for two months. The veteran guard doesn’t have a timeline to return from his latest injury scare, so it appears he’ll be out indefinitely.
While the Mavericks will miss Exum’s steady presence at point guard, injuries are a part of the game and this situation is a perfect example of why Dallas’ logjam at the guard position is beneficial. The phrase often uttered after injuries occur is “next man up” and coach Jason Kidd has two options to look to for a backup lead guard.
Dinwiddie, who re-signed with the Mavericks in July, is a prime candidate to receive more responsibility — especially since he’s already familiar with Kidd’s system from his first stint in Dallas. The veteran point guard was part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade with Washington, and while Dinwiddie thrived in Dallas, he was included in the Mavericks’ blockbuster trade with Brooklyn to acquire Kyrie Irving.
“I still probably knew 80-85% of the stuff,” Dinwiddie said. “Terminology is familiar. A couple of new wrinkles with the zone and stuff, but part of being a vet is you pick up things quickly.”
Despite Doncic’s unavailability, Dinwiddie said his role hasn’t changed in this week’s training camp practices.
“You got the ball a little more in practice but overall, we’ve got an MVP. We’re gonna play a certain style,” Dinwiddie said. “Being here and being familiar with that makes the adjustment easy. You play off Luka, you play off Klay [Thompson], you play off Kai [Irving] and get in where you fit in.”
The Mavericks could also look to use third-year guard Jaden Hardy, who Kidd said was “patiently waiting” and will “get his opportunity” this season. Kidd said Friday that Hardy’s energy and effort is “in the right place.”
Dallas has five players capable of playing point guard, including Doncic, Irving, Dinwiddie, Exum and Hardy. On the wing, there’s Thompson, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Markieff Morris and AJ Lawson. Anchoring the bigs are two players capable of the starting center position in Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, along with Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell.
“To have the depth that we have, we have to be able to maximize that,” Kidd said. “If it’s not just from injury, but being able to keep guys fresh for the marathon. That’s what we’re looking at with some guys out right now. The big thing is the guys are stepping up. Spencer was great.”
Dinwiddie averaged 10.5 points and 4.7 assists in 76 games with Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Lakers last season. He’s played on teams with LeBron James and Kevin Durant, Irving and James Harden, but is this year’s Mavericks group the deepest team he’s ever been a part of?
“It’s funny because I actually said when I got to the Lakers last year that that was the most talented team I’d ever been on,” Dinwiddie said. “You know, just with two Hall of Fame guys [James and Anthony Davis], and again, the caveat [on the Brooklyn Nets] was I didn’t really play with the James [Harden], Kai, KD [Durant] group because I was hurt at that time. I kind of had that as an asterisk.
“But it’s hard-pressed to say this ain’t the most talented team I’ve been on. It’s right there. I mean, you got an MVP. You got one of the great clutch performers in history. You got a top two or three shooter in history, depending upon how you feel about Ray Allen. You got probably the best tandem, big-man lineup in terms of lob threat and rim protection in the league. ... It’s dope to see.”
Twitter: @MikeACurtis2
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
