GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Spencer Dinwiddie has had a busy week of travel.
The 38th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft flew from Detroit to Santa Cruz to suit up for the Grand Rapids Drive in the D-League Showcase over the weekend, then took a red-eye flight back from California to Detroit on Monday -- only to be told upon arrival by Detroit Pistons general manager Jeff Bower that he'll be spending the rest of his season in Grand Rapids.
So how does Spencer feel about the assignment?
"I'm a second-year guy, so I don't have much room to have any certain feelings," the 22-year-old said following Tuesday's practice with the Drive.
Dinwiddie has played in just nine games with the Pistons this season -- and hasn't been active for the past nine contacts. With Brandon Jennings' return to the lineup in late December and putting four point guards on Detroit's roster, the Pistons could finally afford to send their sole draft pick from two years ago to the D-League.
"My job's just to help these guys win," Dinwiddie said of his new role with the Drive. "All of us have the same goal. We're all out here for a reason: basically trying to audition for 30 teams and prove that we belong in the NBA."
Head coach Otis Smith is excited to have the young point guard on his squad the rest of the way -- and not just for his abilities on the court.
"It's good for me to get to teach and get to talk about not just the basketball stuff. That's a small part of it," Smith said. "It's how to get through an NBA season -- ups and downs of playing and not playing -- so I think he's ready for it."
Dinwiddie and the Drive (10-8) -- who have won a franchise-record five straight games -- host Canton (8-11) on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
