While many within the Minnesota Timberwolves believe Donte DiVincenzo will return to the court at some point during the upcoming season, nothing is guaranteed after a torn Achilles injury.
With that being said, it’s easy to see how DiVincenzo could benefit from sharing the court with LaMelo Ball. Already one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in the league, “The Big Ragu” would likely find himself with even more open looks playing alongside a true point guard, something that didn’t happen all that often last season.
DiVo hasn't played with a point guard like Ball with the Timberwolves
It was on April 25, barely more than a minute into Game 4 of the opening round of the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, that DiVincenzo suffered the gruesome, non-contact injury.
Especially because the injury happened so late in the season, it’s even more uncertain whether DiVincenzo will find his way back onto the court in 2026–27. If he were to return, DiVincenzo could thrive with Ball by his side.
Yes, the 29-year-old, who turns 30 in January, will no longer have a starting role if the backcourt of Ball and Anthony Edwards remains healthy. DiVincenzo's 3-point prowess would certainly still allow him to have a large role, though.
Last season, DiVincenzo connected on 190 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, the third-most in the league behind only Kon Knueppel and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. He also made those types of 3-point shots at a 38.3 percent clip.
Of course, Knueppel was a teammate of Ball’s last season. The Charlotte Hornets finished third in the league last season with 11.6 catch-and-shoot makes from behind the arc per game. They were also third in the NBA in accuracy, making those attempts 39.2 percent of the time. Even with DiVincenzo’s catch-and-shoot volume, Minnesota finished below the middle of the pack in both catch-and-shoot 3-point makes and attempts.
That’s largely because the team didn’t have a lead guard who could work to get long-range shooters open looks. If DiVincenzo returns, it would likely take some time for him to get back up to speed. While that may affect his athleticism, it shouldn’t affect his accuracy from deep as much.
Throughout the offseason, the Timberwolves made it clear that they have no plans to trade DiVincenzo. He's clearly a valued member of the team behind the scenes and on the court. Whether it's this upcoming season or next season (assuming he re-signs in free agency), Ball could maximize DiVincenzo's skill set and ensure a strong post-injury impact.
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