Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: 4 players who need more playing time

By Brian Sampson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 1: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves enters the arena prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 1, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 1: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves enters the arena prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 1, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 10: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Raymond Felton #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder go after a loose ball during the game on January 10, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 10: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Raymond Felton #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder go after a loose ball during the game on January 10, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

4. Gorgui Dieng

Gorgui Dieng is an interesting case study. On the outside, the numbers don’t suggest he deserves more than the 17.6 minutes per game he’s received so far this season (the lowest since his rookie year).

Afterall, the Timberwolves have a –4.4 net rating with him on the court and a 7.4 net rating with him on the bench. His plus/minus is also the second worst on the team behind only Shabazz Muhammad:

Despite the poor on/off numbers, Dieng has been a solid contributor so far this season. He has an expanding outside jumper that gets closer and closer to three-point line every season (and more deadly) and consistently deters opponents from trying to get to the rim.

He’s also a low usage big man who knows his role on the team and can play either center or power forward. He never tries to do too much and that’s extremely helpful on this Timberwolves’ team.

If he were able to secure a couple extra minutes, it would likely be from Gibson, who can try to get back down around 30 minutes per game. That would allow both guys to maximize their effectiveness and keep everyone’s legs fresh for the fourth quarter.

Home/Timberwolves News