Mavericks' Spencer Dinwiddie 'Hurt' by Perception That He Caused Issues with Wizards

Before Spencer Dinwiddie was traded to the Dallas Mavericks last month, there were reports he wasn't well-liked in the Washington Wizards locker room.

Speaking to reporters after a 114-113 win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, Dinwiddie admitted that the perception he caused issues with the Wizards "hurt" his feelings. 

"I think that's what hurt the most. I've never bashed Washington. I've never said an ill thing about the team. In fact, I thank the owner or chairman Ted [Leonsis], I thank Tommy Sheppard the GM and I thank [Bradley Beal] for those three kind of collectively deciding to give me my contract. They didn't have to pay somebody coming off an ACL."

"I'm appreciative of that, appreciative of my time there. ... So to be bashed out on the way out the door hurt my feelings for sure. I think I'm human, of course."

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported in January that the Wizards were looking to trade Dinwiddie, adding that his teammates "don't want him there."

In addition, Dinwiddie mentioned that his attempt to take on more of a leadership role early in the season "wasn't necessarily welcomed," according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.

Dinwiddie joined the Wizards ahead of the 2021-22 season in a sign-and-trade from the Brooklyn Nets. He signed a three-year, $54 million deal and struggled in his short period with the team, averaging 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists while shooting 37.6 percent from the floor and 31 percent from deep. 

Since joining the Mavericks, Dinwiddie has found new life. In just six games entering Saturday night, he averaged 14.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 58.6 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from deep. 

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd even lauded Dinwiddie for how well he's played, via ESPN:

"He's been very receptive to coaching and to his teammates, and they trust him," Kidd said. "That's one of the hardest things is, how fast will the trust take place? I think you can see the trust is at a very high level when he's on the floor."

The Mavericks are 6-1 when Dinwiddie plays, including Saturday night. Dinwiddie dropped a season-high 36 points against the Kings, helping lead Dallas to its fourth-consecutive victory. The team is 39-25 overall, good for fifth in the Western Conference and just one game behind the fourth-place Utah Jazz.

Based on how the team has played with Dinwiddie in the lineup, they're in a good position to compete for one of the top three spots in the Western Conference. If they finish third, it would be their best regular-season finish since the 2010-11 season.