Spencer Dinwiddie hopes to return for playoffs, will opt out of current contract

In an interview with Forbes' Shlomo Sprung, Spencer Dinwiddie detailed his intense ACL recovery path that included rehab sessions beginning at 6:30 a.m.

"I want to return for the playoffs," Dinwiddie said when asked for an unofficial timetable.

Torn ACL's usually sideline a player for at least an entire season. Dinwiddie injured his just three games into the shortened 2020-21 NBA schedule. For him to be this optimistic about a return in the same season is impressive.

“If you could be the fastest ACL recovery in history at five months, that puts you at June and gives you several weeks to get in shape,” he added. “That’s just me throwing something at the wall.”

Dinwiddie was also candid about his contract situation, The 28-year-old has a $12.3 million player option for 2021-22. The combo guard said it's almost certain that he'll opt out.

“I’m gonna be more than healthy by the time free agency starts, so just from a dollars perspective you kind of have to,” Dinwiddie said. “$12 million isn’t market value for a starting point guard. It’s probably about half, 20-25. So obviously it’s pretty concrete that I’m gonna opt out.”

“If Brooklyn wants to use my Bird Rights and sign me, I’d be thankful to be back and be able to go and try to win, hopefully, a second championship,” he added. “And if not, then as an unrestricted free agent you can kinda choose where you wanna go. It’s an interesting situation to be in.”