The Minnesota Timberwolves will always be in the mix for star players. Whether they trade for one, though, is a different story. Recently, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints mentioned that rival scouts have pointed to Julius Randle being packaged with Donte DiVincenzo and the 28th pick for an established All-Star-like talent.
Now, this doesn't mean that anything is close to happening with this rumored package. However, when looking at the Wolves' ability to trade for someone who makes more than $40 million a year, a package akin to this is, within all likelihood, their best chance to do so. There are other paths, including packaging Randle and Gobert together, one of the bigs with Terrence Shannon Jr., etc.Â
The reality is that DiVincenzo's $12.5 million expiring deal is one of the few contracts the Wolves have to salary match in a trade for a star. This doesn't mean the Wolves should trade DiVincenzo, though; in fact, I would strongly advise against this idea, particularly since there's no perfect trade target for the Wolves.
I'll admit part of my opposition to trading DiVincenzo is simply the human side. Trading a player who has poured his heart and soul into the team and is recovering from an Achilles injury feels wrong. Beyond that, though, DiVincenzo has been a vital part of the Wolves' success and replicating his skill set wouldn't be an easy task.
Simply viewing him as a player to match salaries is short-sighted. While his injury puts his status up in the air for next year and he is 29 years old coming off a serious injury, the Wolves should view him as a key part of their future.Â
The Timberwolves would be unwise to trade Donte DiVincenzo
Even if you are determined that the Wolves need a second option alongside Anthony Edwards to the point where you would be willing to trade Donte, it's undeniable that he has proven to be a seamless fit with the team.Â
Firstly, he is one of the very best 3-point shooters in the league. This past season, DiVincenzo ranked sixth in the NBA in 3-pointers made. He is an elite off-ball shooter capable of both spotting up and moving without the ball.
DiVincenzo's connectivity on both sides of the ball is also immensely valuable. Offensively, he is a quality secondary playmaker who helps the Wolves' offense flow. DiVincenzo is also a disruptive defensive playmaker who makes hustle plays that lead to winning.
This combination of elite shooting and connectivity has proven to be a perfect fit with Ant-Man and the rest of the team. Â
It's not a coincidence that lineups featuring Ant and Donte had a 9.6 net rating and that DiVincenzo's +7.1 net on/off swing was the best on the Wolves last season.Â
Every championship team has glue guys like DiVincenzo and if the Wolves want to win a championship, it would behove them to keep him around.Â
Of course, the Wolves' goal is to win a championship. Still, I find it hard to pinpoint a star who will be available and would clearly move them toward this goal. Additionally, fit and depth are becoming increasingly important in the modern NBA. To this end, when you have a player who fits so perfectly with your established nucleus, you don't trade him unless it's in a no-brainer deal and no such deal exists for the Wolves.
All in all, the Wolves' best chance of building a title involves a roster that better complements Edwards and accomplishing this is far easier if you keep a player who has proven to be an ideal fit.Â
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