Recently, Jon Krawczynski from Athletics Has done a “mailbag” article about the coming season of the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he answered several questions about the wolves. In this article, Krawczynski was asked about the role of Donte Divincenzo on his way to his second season with the Wolves. Krawczynski subtly said that he does not exclude the possibility that the wolves will adjust their starting line -up to replace Mike Conley by Divincenzo.
“With Conley a year older, it is quite possible that Divincenzo will get the nod in the starting line -up,” wrote Krawczynski.
This is undoubtedly an intriguing possibility. Adding Divincenzo to the starting line -up could give the Wolves an extra score boost and could give them a little more overall benefit. Having two natural point guards from the bank in Conely and Rob Dillingham would also be an advantage of this line -up change.
Mike Conley is aging and changing the starting set up can be logical
Conley, who turns 38 before the season, has shown a number of serious signs of decline, especially last year. The Ohio State product, in particular, had on average a career low 8.2 points and 24.7 minutes, while he only shot 40 percent. Anyway, Conley started in 64 of the 71 games. Conley is still a playmaker with a high IQ that can carry out an attack. However, he misses Burst as a Scotchepper and mainly scores for the gravity of others.
Divincenzo is a dynamic external shooter that yielded 39.7 percent of his 3-point shots last season. The Villanova product is far from an elite self-creator, but it is much better able to be a shot maker than Conley. Because making extra perimeter is a need for the wolves, starting Divincenzo is logical. Moreover, on 6-foot-4 he gives the wolves some extra size on the half of the defense, which would certainly benefit their defense. Divincenzo got more minutes than Conley in the regular season, so starting him seems feasible.
Conley took a step back last season and it is fair to delete for more regression. Divincenzo is the more impactful player, and he has been playing at starting level for minutes, so it can be a good move to place him in the starting line-up. While Divincenzo currently has to deal with a recurring toe injury, he is expected to be completely healthy before the start of the season.
It is also worth noting that Divincenzo, instead of Conley, posted a 4.6 net rating with the rest of the starting line -up of Minnesota. For comparison, with Conley next to the starters of the wolves, the team had a net rating of 3.2.
Changing the starting setup is possible, but not guaranteed
However, starting Divincenzo is not a no-brainer. He is a natural off-guard and it is unclear whether he could handle more balafhandel responsibilities. Point Guard Play has been quite problematic for the wolves and Conley is still a crucial stabilizing force for the violation of Minnesota. Krawczynski also noticed that head coach Chris Finch Conley trusts a ton. As a result, they could keep him in the starting setup.
If Divincenzo earns a place in the start five, this can indicate the faith of the wolves in Anthony Edwards that improves as a playmaker. With Edwards, Divincenzo and Julius Randle, the wolves would have somewhat ball treatment through commission approach.
In the end I would not change their starting line -up on the wolves on the opening evening. However, it wouldn’t shock me either. If they go to a slower start and/or take a new step back, I would consider a line -up change fairly likely. Nevertheless, the wolves are generally in a great place and are well positioned to fight for a championship.
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