NBA rumors: Wolves’ Donte DiVincenzo seen as trade candidate by ‘contending teams’ | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo “is being viewed as a possible trade candidate to several contending teams,” per Brett Siegel of connection points.

“Donte DiVincenzo is being considered a possible trade candidate by several contending teams around the league, sources said. While the Timberwolves value DiVincenzo’s skills, the 27-year-old combo guard wasn’t thrilled with the idea of ​​coming off the bench after being for a second-tier team like Minnesota, moving DiVincenzo could help create a little flexibility and a way to move out of the second spot next season that the Timberwolves will move their newly acquired guard.

The Timberwolves just acquired DiVincenzo and Julius Randle for Karl-Anthony Towns on Oct. 2, so this report is a surprising development less than two months after the former Villanova star landed in Minneapolis.

Through 15 games (all off the bench), DiVincenzo has struggled offensively, scoring 9.5 points on 34.8 percent shooting (32.4 percent from three).

However, he is only a year removed from a good season in New York, where he scored 15.5 points per game. game on 44.3 percent shooting (40.1 percent from three).

As for a potential landing spot via trade, Siegel issued the Golden State Warriors. DiVincenzo played in Golden State during the 2022-23 season, averaging 9.4 points over 72 games (36 starts). With De’Anthony Melton (torn ACL) out for the season, the Warriors could use another guard for the rotation.

“Donte DiVincenzo, Jordan Clarkson, Matisse Thybulle and Pat Connaughton are worth mentioning in connection with the Dubs, as they are all making less than what Melton is making this year. Other than Connaughton, none of these players are considered concrete trade candidates for any team in this season.

“The Minnesota Timberwolves just acquired DiVincenzo in their blockbuster Karl-Anthony Towns trade with the New York Knicksand head coach Chris Finch is very pleased with the combo guard’s abilities on both ends of the court. The problem is, his role has fluctuated since arriving in Minnesota, and the Timberwolves are struggling at 8-7 overall. Should tensions continue to rise, various teams around the league will monitor DiVincenzo’s availability. He was a player the Warriors really wanted to keep before he signed a four-year deal with the Knicks in 2023.”

It’s been a rough start for Minnesota, which has gone 8-7 after a 56-26 season last year that ended with a Western Conference Finals appearance. The Timberwolves are in 10th place and are one of six teams with an 8-7 or 9-7 record. So Minnesota has some work to do in the Western Conference to break through the mediocrity.

Although he’s off to a slow start, DiVincenzo can certainly be part of the solution for an improved season. He proved his worth during last season’s playoffs, averaging the second most points per game. game (17.8) on the Knicks. If given the chance, DiVincenzo could shine and lead Minnesota to greater heights.

The biggest problem is the fluctuating role, Siegel said. He doesn’t seem to fit as well with Minnesota as he did with the Knicks, especially late in the season. Maybe head coach Chris Finch will find a solution to that problem and all will be well after Minnesota shakes up its core with the Towns trade.

Or maybe there’s something to this Siegel report and Minnesota sends DiVincenzo away. It would still be a great move given his short tenure in town and the high hopes Minnesota certainly had with this deal, even if it meant trading a franchise cornerstone in Towns.

For now, DiVincenzo remains in Minnesota, which looks to stay above .500 on Sunday with a tough road game at the Boston Celtics.