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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 players most likely to be traded before the deadline

By Andrew Neururer

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 22: Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Chicago Bulls on January 22, 2020 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 22: Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Chicago Bulls on January 22, 2020 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 05: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates after scoring during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 05, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 118-103. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Gorgui Dieng

Dieng is the longest-tenured Timberwolf after being drafted in 2013 by the Utah Jazz and later traded to Minnesota on draft night with Shabazz Muhammad.

Dieng signed a four-year, $62.8 million deal during the summer of 2017. With the expected rising salary cap and the fact that Gorgui was a solid starter at the time, it didn’t seem like a terrible contract.

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After receiving that deal, the Timberwolves signed Taj Gibson and that caused former head coach Tom Thibodeau to push Dieng to the bench. The former Louisville Cardinal has not done a good job coming off the bench and has played at a much higher level when inserted in the starting lineup.

  • Starter: 25.7 MPG, 13.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 47.3 FG%, 40.8 3P%
  • Bench: 12.0 MPG, 4.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.9 PG, 0.8 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 39.4 FG%, 34.1 3P%

The numbers are significantly lower when Gorgui comes off the bench, and he’s a liability when playing at that level. Dieng’s play has played better this season, and a large part of that improvement has been his three-point shooting ability.

With today’s game evolving, having a big man who can stretch the floor is an important factor to a team’s success. Dieng could be moved this trade deadline in part because he has shown the ability to shoot the three-ball and defend at a pretty high level. Plus, his contract makes it easier to match salaries in a potential trade, and he has about a year-and-a-half left on his current deal.

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