Nets Big 3 drama could hinge on Spencer Dinwiddie injury

Spencer Dinwiddie is deep in the conference finals after picking up 30 points in Game 7 of the semifinals.

But those postseason exploits are coming for the Mavericks, while the Nets – the team that traded Dinwiddie away in August – leave a cautionary tale about what happens when a supposed super team goes awry. The Nets are long gone from the playoffs, having been swept away by the Celtics almost four weeks ago.

Dinwiddie, along with Joe Harris, was one of the last remnants of general manager Sean Marks’ first roster for the entire 2016-2017 season. The combo guard was part of the Nets’ arduous rise from the NBA basement into a team that included the free agents who assisted Superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving with balance, defense and depth.

Then on December 27, 2020, Dinwiddie tore his ACL in just the third game where Durant and Irving shared the court. Less than three weeks later, the Nets gave up their roster depth for James Harden and dreams of a Big 3. It set into motion everything that has happened since: the lack of depth to survive Irving’s absence this season; the trade drove Harden out of town; the arrival of Ben Simmons, who has not played since.