By james art 
Besides being a superstar, Spencer Dinwiddie has played every role in the NBA.
He is 15th a guy fighting for a roster spot.
He has been a rotational player.
He was the No. 2 option and was asked to score a lot of points.
That last job description wasn’t part of the job description when he joined the Mavericks in the offseason. But pretty much everything else?
Yes, Dinwiddie is asked to do so and is fully capable.
“Honestly, we’re figuring it out right now,” the 11-year guard said Saturday of his role with the Mavericks. “I was first on the bench in some games and I was told I wouldn’t play some games. It’s early and we’re figuring this all out. I look forward to helping in any way I can.”
And Dinwiddie’s history helps give coach Jason Kidd plenty of options on how to use the former Colorado Buffalo 6-5.
“I think the benefit of wearing all those hats is that you have a very versatile skill set,” Dinwiddie said. “There will be some plays: hey, we need you to guard Jalen Green. And there will be some games: we’ll let you hit three threes against the Jazz.
“So it’s probably going to be a little bit different than what Maverick fans are used to seeing. The last time I was here it was like: here’s the ball – go. Here’s what Maverick fans have seen so far. But I’m looking forward to settling in permanently in whatever the team needs.”
So far, Dinwiddie has seen all kinds of use, including disuse. His role was minor in the first two games. He didn’t even play in Phoenix. But he has averaged 18 minutes and six points over the past three games and had a three-pointer against Utah on Monday.
“You need that type of guy on your team to be able to adjust to the role on the fly, and he’s one of those guys who can do that,” Kidd said. “He’s doing that for us at a high level right now.”
Dinwiddie is in his second stint with the Mavericks and said it’s similar to his first stint with the team, which included playing in the 2022 Western Conference Finals.
Similar but different.
“It’s relatively normal,” he said. “It’s pretty much the same, but kind of different. New players, but many of the principles are still the same. We have a lot of leftovers, Luka (Doncic), of course.
“And the DNA of the Mavericks is still pretty much the same.”
Dinwiddie is an NBA player who has a firm grasp on where things stand in the league. And where does it stand?
He was traded midway through the 2022-23 season for Kyrie Irving. It’s not necessarily unexpected, he said.
And Dinwiddie wears the badge with pride, having also been involved in trades involving Kristaps Porzingis and Russell Westbrook.
“I’m the guy who always trades for the superstar,” he said. “That’s how it works. I’m the bum who gets traded for the superstars. That’s how the fans look at it.”
It wouldn’t be accurate or fair to call a guy who averaged 16 points in 80 games with the Mavericks for the first time a “wanderer.” But Dinwiddie understands how the world works.
And he said things have gone pretty well now. He played alongside Luca, Irving and Klay Thompson.
And he credits Kidd for making his unpredictable job a little easier to handle.
“That makes it simple,” Dinwiddie said. “Usually at least you get heads-up information before the game. That helps. If I know going into this game I have to stop so and so (defensively) or hey they’re going to double team Luca so you have to be aggressive or they’re not going to double team Luca so be ready to catch and shoot. Or whatever. They usually do a really good job helping you out, even if it’s: you’re not in the rotation, you’re not playing.
“Is it generally easy? No, it’s hard as hell. The easiest thing in the league is to have a steady job. But J-Kidd, to his credit, they at least try to warn you.”
And so far, it’s working out well for both Dinwiddie and the Mavericks.
X: @ESefko