Minnesota's Donte DiVincenzo experiment still has a ways to go.
Acquired in a blockbuster offseason trade with the Knicks, the shooting guard has had inconsistent playing time and is already the subject of trade rumors after 17 games with the Timberwolves.
The low point may have come on Tuesday night, when DiVincenzo sat midway through the third quarter and couldn't see the floor in the Timberwolves' 117-111 overtime loss.
DiVincenzo finished the night with three points in 15 minutes, and the Timberwolves rallied from a double-digit deficit to force overtime.
DiVincenzo has played 22 minutes or less in four of the past seven games.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said in the postgame press conference, “Our offense is impacting our defense,'' and with point guard Mike Conley out with a sprained toe, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said he will be playing the point guard position. He explained how having DiVincenzo and Nickel-Alexander Walker has affected the team. .
“I think obviously our rhythm has been affected.” finch said At the time, reporters noted that the offense looked different with rookie point guard Rob Dillingham on the floor, posting season-highs of 12 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
“That's common, Ari. [Edwards] and julius [Randle] Perhaps they feel they have to do too much early on in the attack, and certainly the recent lob play has definitely brought that to light. ”
Alexander Walker scored 13 points in 30 minutes.
DiVincenzo, who has been with the Timberwolves for less than three months, has been mentioned in trade rumors as Minnesota is off to a rough start to the 2024 season.
NBA Insider Marc Stein The Timberwolves reportedly have no interest in parting ways with the point guard, adding that Minnesota has long sought his talents.
And Minnesota has plenty of time to figure out a way to make things work with the additions of DiVincenzo and Randle.
The Timberwolves (8-9) will play the Kings (8-10) in Minnesota on Wednesday.
