DALLAS – McKinley Wright IV and Spencer Dinwiddie have something in common.

They both played at Colorado, albeit at differing points in time, Dinwiddie from 2011 to 2014, and Wright from 2017 to 2021, but it’s a connection that made it even more joyous when the Dallas Mavericks announced on Saturday that they converted Wright to a two-way contract, making his stay in Dallas an apparent long one.

Wright has already been in Dallas for some time. He’s had to prove himself during training camp to earn his spot as a two-way player in the Mavericks’ system. And during that time, he has leaned on Dinwiddie to provide advice and clarity. The two are close. And it’s to the point, that Wright calls him his “big bro.” So, it’s no surprise that Wright and Dinwiddie’s relationship played a central role in Wright not only accepting the opportunity with Dallas but excelling enough to make the team.

“We’ve been having a relationship for years now,” Wright said. “When I first signed the Exhibit 10 deal, I shot spencer a text. He’s been there for me. He’s been the vet for me and the big bro for me.”

Wright and Dinwiddie both wore No. 25 during their differing tenures at Colorado.

To Wright, there is an apparent closeness between him and Dinwiddie. When he first arrived in Dallas, it was Dinwiddie that informed him that his best bet at competing for a roster spot was by playing defense.

Specifically, Dinwiddie told Wright to play defense, get others involved, take care of the ball, and do all the little. That advice worked. And Wright’s unselfishness on the court brought the attention of head coach Jason Kidd, who made note of his wiliness to defend at a high level and provide energy in ways that not many undersized guards can in the NBA.

“He did a really good job in training camp,” Kidd said. “He’s a guy that can set the table for other guys and then ball pressure. He is able to pick up full court, and he is well deserving of a two-way.”

Wright's relationship with Patrick Beverley

But it wasn’t just Dinwiddie that was in Wright’s ear. There was also former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley in his corner.

Wright spent the 2021-22 NBA season on a two-way contract with Minnesota, where he and Beverley became close. Beverley took him under his wing, Wright said. And it’s in Beverley that Wright sees his pathway to being an everyday player in the NBA.

Beverley played overseas and clawed his way from team-to-team fighting for a roster spot before finding some assurance in his NBA career when playing for the Houston Rockets. He built his reputation on being a defensive irritant, often frustrating opposing teams’ best players.

To this point in Wright’s career, he’s seen spars NBA minutes, and last season he spent most of his time playing with the G League Iowa Wolves, where he averaged 19 points and 7.7 assists per game. He’s fought for every opportunity he’s received, he said. And in that, he feels as though his career could have shades of Beverley’s all over it.

“I learned a lot from him,” Wright said. “He’s helped me along the way. I know the route he took to get to the NBA, and now he is a multi-millionaire. He played overseas for a few years. And he was cut multiple times. But he kept fighting. That’s my mindset. Regardless of how this goes this year, I’m going to keep fighting.

“I’m an undersized guard, so he [Beverley] always preached to me about how big my heart has to be.”

What Wright could be

With two NBA veterans in Wright’s corner, and Kidd merely wanting him to be the best version of himself, Dallas may have walked into a player that has the make-up to be the next Patrick Beverley.

It’s a best-case scenario, but it’s one you can’t help but think about as Wright battles to break into Dallas’ everyday rotation.

“This is a big-time winning program,” Wright said of Dallas. “They went to the Western Conference Finals last year, and everybody is just together. That’s a big deal and a big difference for me.”

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Feature image via Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports.