Charlotte waives Spencer Dinwiddie 3 months after signing him

The Charlotte Hornets are giving up the veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie just three months after signing him in free agency, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move was made Thursday as the team prepares to finalize its roster ahead of the opening of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Dinwiddie, an 11-year NBA veteran, signed a one-year contract with Charlotte in July. His release wipes the guaranteed salary off the books as the Hornets approach the deadline to fill out the league’s roster before the start of the regular season. Charlotte will host the Brooklyn Nets in their season opener on Wednesday.

Dinwiddie has appeared in two preseason games for the Hornets, including an appearance in a 120–116 win over the Dallas Mavericks last Saturday. He had six points, four assists and three rebounds in 19 minutes while shooting 2-for-3 from the field. Despite a solid showing in limited action, the team ultimately decided to go in a different direction with the backfield rotation.

The Charlotte Hornets are waiving guard Spencer Dinwiddie, sources tell ESPN. Dinwiddie, an 11-year NBA veteran, signed a one-year deal with the Hornets in July in free agency. Charlotte had to release guaranteed salary ahead of next week’s season opener. pic.twitter.com/kbrz24a9rs

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 16, 2025

The Hornets waived Spencer Dinwiddie ahead of the season opener

The Hornets signed Dinwiddie after his 2024 campaign with the Mavericks, where he averaged 11 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game in 79 appearances. He shot 41.6% from the field and 33.4% from beyond the arc while averaging 27 minutes per game.

At 32, Dinwiddie was expected to provide veteran leadership and ball-handling depth for a Charlotte team in transition. His short stint with the Hornets adds to a career that includes stops with Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizardsand Dallas.

The Hornets are coming off a 145-116 preseason win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday and will wrap up their exhibition slate against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.

With Dinwiddie gone, Charlotte opens up roster and financial flexibility ahead of the regular season. The team continues to build its roster around rising young talent and returning veterans under head coach Charles Lee.

Dinwiddie now enters the free agent market a few days before the season begins, adding an experienced option for teams looking for cornerback depth. It remains unclear if another franchise will sign him ahead of the opener.