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Timberwolves off-season roster power rankings

By Christian Anton

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Karl-Anthony Towns
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Karl-Anthony Towns /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 9: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves scores a basket over Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of the basketball game at Staples Center April 9, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 9: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves scores a basket over Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of the basketball game at Staples Center April 9, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

5. Gorgui Dieng

The man from Senegal has found a nice role with the Minnesota Timberwolves in his first four years with the team.

I doubt many people pointed to Dieng in the trade that brought him over to Minnesota and thought that he would make a bigger impact than Shabazz. But here we are in 2017 with Dieng on the roster and Shabazz no longer with the team.

Not only has Dieng been a solid player for the Timberwolves, he has worked his way into the starting unit. After starting 39 games two seasons ago, he followed that up with starting all 82 games this past year.

Gorgui has been one of the more consistent Wolves players over the last few years, and his durability is a welcome asset to his list of skills. Dieng has become a solid scorer and rebounder while playing next to KAT in the post. Additionally, his ability to shoot from the high post and beyond has improved in each of his years in the NBA.

The only knock on Gorgui is that some feel that he is not the perfect fit at power forward and would be better fitted with the second unit as another scoring option, largely from the five-spot.

Dieng is only 27 years old and is still learning with every new season. By adding Taj Gibson, the Timberwolves are making a smart mentorship that may pay off with Gorgui becoming an even better defensive option in the future.

Look for the Louisville product to start at least half of the games this season, he could split starts with Taj Gibson depending on the state of the bench throughout the year.