The Timberwolves are looking for their next starting Power Forward, however, with a high pick in the upcoming draft, Gorgui Dieng is the perfect bridge starter.
On draft night in 2013, the Minnesota Timberwolves traded down with the Utah Jazz. Trading away Trey Burke for Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng. If I told you at the time that the best player from that trade would be Dieng, I don’t think you would have believed me. However, here we are. Dieng has been a solidly improving frontcourt force for the Wolves. He has turned from solid bench player to consistent starter.
Is his job safe?
With young studs like Karl Anthony-Towns, Andrew Wiggins, and Zach LaVine, the Timberwolves have a great young core to build around. The job of finding a quality starting power forward to fit in with Towns and his unicorn qualities is a tricky one.
Furthermore, with the Timberwolves’ cap space looking to evaporate when said young studs hit free agency, the pressure is on the front office to find Towns’ partner in crime sooner than later. The best two ways to add pieces in the NBA are through draft and free agency.
There will be three main free agent power forwards coming up in free agency. Blake Griffin, Paul Millsap, and Serge Ibaka. All three are looking to hit big paydays.
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Whilst many offer a good fit to the Wolves, the front office needs to look at how their contract will hold up in a few years time. Even the most positive Wolves fan would reluctantly admit that championships are out of the equation. Between injury history, age, contract length each will want to sign for, the potential to ruin a good thing is plain to see.
The Timberwolves also have the seventh pick in the upcoming draft and are tipped to take Jonathan Isaac with the choice. Isaac would instantly be the ‘next’ starting power forward for the Timberwolves. However, he will not be ready to start straight away. Gorgui Dieng is the perfect man to hold the fort.
Positives a starter
Gorgui Dieng is a super consistent and durable player for the Wolves. He started all 82 games in the regular season. His impact is not always seen on the basic box score. Dieng does the little things that add up to big difference makers. The help-defense, the screen setting, the ability to hustle. All of these are not on the basic scorecard, however, a look into the Wolves’ advanced stats shows his true value to the tram.
Defensive Rating: Third on the team
Net Rating: Second on team
Defensive Box Plus/Minus: Led team
Overall Box Score Plus/Minus: Second on the team, behind Towns.
Value Over Replacement Player: Second on the team, behind Towns.
Another little thing that Dieng does for the team is stretch the floor (although if as mentioned below, that can get even better). Dieng’s midrange game is well-respected around the league. He hit 45% of his 263 midrange shots this season. With over 90% of those shots being assisted Dieng is already clearing a defender from the lane.
Room for growth
The main cause for Dieng to succeed as a long-term option with the Wolves is to further stretch the floor and shoot more threes. In fact, the Wolves themselves need to space the floor better.
Despite the Wolves being the worst 3-point shooting team in the league, Dieng’s 3-point attempts and success at those attempts improved.
In fact, they are improving every season. The fact he is making 37 percent of his threes is really encouraging. It’s a great sign that he can become more of a threat from outside. If he can then we will create even more space for his teammates.
Next: The ultimate Minnesota Timberwolves draft guide
The Wolves would draft Isaac with the intention of him one day being a starter, in which case Gorgui Dieng is the perfect sixth man. A front court with Towns, Isaac, and Dieng is offensively and potentially defensively versatile.