Recently, it was announced that Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo is set to miss EuroBasket due to a toe injury. It’s unclear if DiVincenzo will miss time in the regular season due to this injury. Regardless, given this is DiVincenzo’s second toe injury this year, it’s clearly a recurring problem. Notably, DiVincenzo missed 19 games with a toe injury this past season.
Second-year guard Rob Dillingham was already primed for a bigger role with Nickeil Alexander-Walker leaving in free agency and Mike Conley aging. Now, after DiVincenzo’s injury, Dillingham’s role will be even more crucial.
DiVincenzo’s could lead to a bigger role for Dillingham
Of course, if DiVincenzo misses time to start, it’s easy to see how Dillingham’s role will be increased. With DiVincenzo in the mix, the Wolves could have a 10-man rotation without him; it would decrease to a nine-man rotation, and Dillingham would be moved up the pecking order, taking on a good amount of DiVincenzo’s minutes.
Even if DiVincenzo doesn’t miss time, having a nagging toe injury will make Dillingham a more important part of the team. The unfortunate possibility of Donte re-injuring his toe and ultimately needing surgery, even if he starts the season, can’t be ignored.
Dillingham’s presence was always going to be vital this year. The Wolves desperately need some extra perimeter shot creation and playmaking. Their need for a guard who can generate rim pressure and playmake was on full display during the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While DiVincenzo can provide the Wolves with some of the needed shot creation, he can’t be a primary playmaker and is best utilized off the ball.
With DiVincenzo’s recent injury, the Wolves will need to use him even more in an off-ball role to reduce the risk of re-injuring his toe. This could also result in DiVincenzo’s minutes being bumped down slightly. Even though DiVincenzo isn’t ideally used as a primary ball-handler, he’s the Wolves' best option on the bench other than Dillingham. All of this opens up a more significant role for Dillingham.
How many minutes Dillingham can handle is up for debate. As a rookie, he averaged just 10.5 minutes through 49 games, pouring in 4.5 points. Nevertheless, Dillingham showed flashes of his upside, and his skill set is perfect for the Wolves' needs.
Ultimately, whether DiVincenzo misses time or not, Dillingham is primed for an even bigger role than expected. The Wolves will likely take a cautious approach with DiVincenzo, which will result in a bigger role for Dillingham. Of course, in the unfortunate event where DiVincenzo does miss time, the Wolves will be counting on Dillingham for significant minutes.