Grading Minnesota Timberwolves players at the All-Star break

6 of 14

(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#9 – Gorgui Dieng

Grade: C-

6.4 points, 49.2 field goal percentage, 28.3 3-point percentage, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.5 blocks

Gorgui Dieng has seen his numbers regress significantly this season. Of course, last season he averaged 32.4 minutes per game and this season he’s only getting 17.5. When Dieng played last season he was pretty good. He wasn’t going to kill opposing defenses or be a member of the All-Defensive Team, but he would certainly be a solid option on both ends.

Due to his minutes decreasing almost in half, it’s no surprise that he has dropped in every category except for 3-point attempts.

Per Game Table
Season	Tm	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	FT	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS
2016-17	MIN	32.4	4.0	8.1	.502	0.2	0.5	.372	1.7	2.0	.814	7.9	1.9	1.1	1.2	10.0
2017-18	MIN	17.5	2.5	5.2	.492	0.2	0.8	.283	1.1	1.4	.762	4.5	1.0	0.7	0.5	6.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

A lot of concern has been voiced because the Wolves are paying both Dieng and Gibson $14 million. People didn’t have a problem with Dieng’s contract back when he signed a new deal because at the time it looked to be a steal. It’s not ideal to be paying a backup player $14 million, even more so when you consider the Wolves future cap issues in the next few years.

Based on the regression and the amount being paid to play off the bench, Dieng finds himself lower on the list because of that.

Home/Timberwolves News