Donte DiVincenzo

[shuttlesworth]

Really seems like Donte's skills are maximized when he's playing off-ball next to a pure point guard. I love his game, but I think that makes him a questionable long-term fit in Minnesota given that (1) Ant is going to be playing at his natural position 90% of the time, and (2) our only pure point guards are the corpse of Mike Conley and the fetus of Rob Dillingham.

This makes me think Donte could be an interesting trade piece this summer, especially for teams who do have pure point guards on their rosters (and ideally a glut of them). One option: the Spurs. The have Fox and Castle already and will soon have Harper under contract. Those three really duplicate each others' skill sets: All are ball-dominant natural point guards with questionable outside shots.

I wonder if the Spurs would be willing to part with Castle for DDV and #17. DDV would fit perfectly on the Spurs as a movement shooter next to Wemby and Fox/Harper. And Castle would at least theoretically solve the Wolves' long-term PG problem (and he could form a nice 1-2 punch with Dillingham, who is in many ways Castle's opposite at the PG position).

Castle had impressive stretches as a rookie, especially on defense, but he hasn't shown much of an outside shot yet (shooting only 28.5% from 3 in his first year). That's really my one concern about going after Castle--but I think his defense, playmaking, and long-term upside could be worth the risk.

[aztimberwolves]

Really seems like Donte's skills are maximized when he's playing off-ball next to a pure point guard. I love his game, but I think that makes him a questionable long-term fit in Minnesota given that (1) Ant is going to be playing at his natural position 90% of the time, and (2) our only pure point guards are the corpse of Mike Conley and the fetus of Rob Dillingham.

This makes me think Donte could be an interesting trade piece this summer, especially for teams who do have pure point guards on their rosters (and ideally a glut of them). One option: the Spurs. The have Fox and Castle already and will soon have Harper under contract. Those three really duplicate each others' skill sets: All are ball-dominant natural point guards with questionable outside shots.

I wonder if the Spurs would be willing to part with Castle for DDV and #17. DDV would fit perfectly on the Spurs as a movement shooter next to Wemby and Fox/Harper. And Castle would at least theoretically solve the Wolves' long-term PG problem (and he could form a nice 1-2 punch with Dillingham, who is in many ways Castle's opposite at the PG position).

Castle had impressive stretches as a rookie, especially on defense, but he hasn't shown much of an outside shot yet (shooting only 28.5% from 3 in his first year). That's really my one concern about going after Castle--but I think his defense, playmaking, and long-term upside could be worth the risk.

Maybe we can include Gobert for Victor while we are at it???

Seriously. If the spurs refused to include Castle in KD trade discussions, you really think they’d trade him for freaking DDV? Cmon.

[irishman89]

You could maybe get Vassell for DDV and #17. He's not too shabby.

[Mnwild1128]

You could maybe get Vassell for DDV and #17. He's not too shabby.

We would have to add about another 13 million to make it work

[shuttlesworth]

Really seems like Donte's skills are maximized when he's playing off-ball next to a pure point guard. I love his game, but I think that makes him a questionable long-term fit in Minnesota given that (1) Ant is going to be playing at his natural position 90% of the time, and (2) our only pure point guards are the corpse of Mike Conley and the fetus of Rob Dillingham.

This makes me think Donte could be an interesting trade piece this summer, especially for teams who do have pure point guards on their rosters (and ideally a glut of them). One option: the Spurs. The have Fox and Castle already and will soon have Harper under contract. Those three really duplicate each others' skill sets: All are ball-dominant natural point guards with questionable outside shots.

I wonder if the Spurs would be willing to part with Castle for DDV and #17. DDV would fit perfectly on the Spurs as a movement shooter next to Wemby and Fox/Harper. And Castle would at least theoretically solve the Wolves' long-term PG problem (and he could form a nice 1-2 punch with Dillingham, who is in many ways Castle's opposite at the PG position).

Castle had impressive stretches as a rookie, especially on defense, but he hasn't shown much of an outside shot yet (shooting only 28.5% from 3 in his first year). That's really my one concern about going after Castle--but I think his defense, playmaking, and long-term upside could be worth the risk.

Maybe we can include Gobert for Victor while we are at it???

Seriously. If the spurs refused to include Castle in KD trade discussions, you really think they’d trade him for freaking DDV? Cmon.

The Heat wouldn't include Haywood Highsmith or Jaime Jaquez in Durant talks; are those players untouchable?

The Spurs obviously value Castle, but given the overlap in skill sets between him, Fox, and Harper, I think the Spurs would part with him for the right offer. Maybe DDV and the 17 doesn't do it; would DDV, 17, and TJ Shannon? Clearly there is some offer the Wolves could put together to get him, and it's just a matter of what that price would be.

[aztimberwolves]

Really seems like Donte's skills are maximized when he's playing off-ball next to a pure point guard. I love his game, but I think that makes him a questionable long-term fit in Minnesota given that (1) Ant is going to be playing at his natural position 90% of the time, and (2) our only pure point guards are the corpse of Mike Conley and the fetus of Rob Dillingham.

This makes me think Donte could be an interesting trade piece this summer, especially for teams who do have pure point guards on their rosters (and ideally a glut of them). One option: the Spurs. The have Fox and Castle already and will soon have Harper under contract. Those three really duplicate each others' skill sets: All are ball-dominant natural point guards with questionable outside shots.

I wonder if the Spurs would be willing to part with Castle for DDV and #17. DDV would fit perfectly on the Spurs as a movement shooter next to Wemby and Fox/Harper. And Castle would at least theoretically solve the Wolves' long-term PG problem (and he could form a nice 1-2 punch with Dillingham, who is in many ways Castle's opposite at the PG position).

Castle had impressive stretches as a rookie, especially on defense, but he hasn't shown much of an outside shot yet (shooting only 28.5% from 3 in his first year). That's really my one concern about going after Castle--but I think his defense, playmaking, and long-term upside could be worth the risk.

Maybe we can include Gobert for Victor while we are at it???

Seriously. If the spurs refused to include Castle in KD trade discussions, you really think they’d trade him for freaking DDV? Cmon.

The Heat wouldn't include Haywood Highsmith or Jaime Jaquez in Durant talks; are those players untouchable?

The Spurs obviously value Castle, but given the overlap in skill sets between him, Fox, and Harper, I think the Spurs would part with him for the right offer. Maybe DDV and the 17 doesn't do it; would DDV, 17, and TJ Shannon? Clearly there is some offer the Wolves could put together to get him, and it's just a matter of what that price would be.

If those players aren’t included in KD talks, they certainly wouldn’t be for a scrub like DDV.

[HeHateMe]

Maybe we can include Gobert for Victor while we are at it???

Seriously. If the spurs refused to include Castle in KD trade discussions, you really think they’d trade him for freaking DDV? Cmon.

The Heat wouldn't include Haywood Highsmith or Jaime Jaquez in Durant talks; are those players untouchable?

The Spurs obviously value Castle, but given the overlap in skill sets between him, Fox, and Harper, I think the Spurs would part with him for the right offer. Maybe DDV and the 17 doesn't do it; would DDV, 17, and TJ Shannon? Clearly there is some offer the Wolves could put together to get him, and it's just a matter of what that price would be.

If those players aren’t included in KD talks, they certainly wouldn’t be for a scrub like DDV.

I think the Heat made some of those guys available but weren't willing to include multiple.. so then it gets labeled they weren't offering them. That's at least what I gathered from Zach Lowe on Simmons' pod... Ware was not available for sure. They were offering collection of guys like Wiggins and one or two of the younger cheaper guys.

[aztimberwolves]

The Heat wouldn't include Haywood Highsmith or Jaime Jaquez in Durant talks; are those players untouchable?

The Spurs obviously value Castle, but given the overlap in skill sets between him, Fox, and Harper, I think the Spurs would part with him for the right offer. Maybe DDV and the 17 doesn't do it; would DDV, 17, and TJ Shannon? Clearly there is some offer the Wolves could put together to get him, and it's just a matter of what that price would be.

If those players aren’t included in KD talks, they certainly wouldn’t be for a scrub like DDV.

I think the Heat made some of those guys available but weren't willing to include multiple.. so then it gets labeled they weren't offering them. That's at least what I gathered from Zach Lowe on Simmons' pod... Ware was not available for sure. They were offering collection of guys like Wiggins and one or two of the younger cheaper guys.

Yeah I mean I can understand teams not wanting to give up young assets for a possible 1 year KD rental. But to think those same young assets would be made available for a guy like DDV???? Makes zero sense to me.

[shuttlesworth]

I think you're underrating DDV, and in particular his contract/age, relative to Durant. Durant is 38 and seeking a 2-year extension for $61 million per season. If you're trading for Durant as San Antonio, you're committing yourself to a team built around an aging, notoriously moody star for the next three years at least, while sacrificing the ability to sign other players to complement Wemby. My guess is that this is why SAS ultimately balked and wasn't willing to offer much of its core to acquire Durant.

DDV is obviously not as good as Durant, but he fills a very important role for basically any team (movement shooter who can defend) and is on a fantastic contract for about $12 million per year for the next two years (i.e., one fifth of what Durant will make over that same time span). I think a player and contract like DiVincenzo could have particular value to a team like San Antonio, which is very thin at the shooting guard/wing position.

As noted above, I also think DDV was miscast this year on Minnesota. He's a natural 2 and really need to be paired with a pure point guard to unlock his game, which is predicted on off-ball movement and shooting. He was incredible on the Knicks last year as their second-leading scorer in the playoffs (remember that many people in the media considered him the actual centerpiece of the Towns trade) and I think the Spurs might get that version of DDV if they traded for him.

You're right that Castle is quite valuable. But DDV, a pick, and a promising young prospect (like TSJ) might get the job done. Certainly if I were in SAS's front office, I would think very hard about that offer. (Maybe that's why I'm not in a front office.)

[Mnwild1128]

I think you're underrating DDV, and in particular his contract/age, relative to Durant. Durant is 38 and seeking a 2-year extension for $61 million per season. If you're trading for Durant as San Antonio, you're committing yourself to a team built around an aging, notoriously moody star for the next three years at least, while sacrificing the ability to sign other players to complement Wemby. My guess is that this is why SAS ultimately balked and wasn't willing to offer much of its core to acquire Durant.

DDV is obviously not as good as Durant, but he fills a very important role for basically any team (movement shooter who can defend) and is on a fantastic contract for about $12 million per year for the next two years (i.e., one fifth of what Durant will make over that same time span). I think a player and contract like DiVincenzo could have particular value to a team like San Antonio, which is very thin at the shooting guard/wing position.

As noted above, I also think DDV was miscast this year on Minnesota. He's a natural 2 and really need to be paired with a pure point guard to unlock his game, which is predicted on off-ball movement and shooting. He was incredible on the Knicks last year as their second-leading scorer in the playoffs (remember that many people in the media considered him the actual centerpiece of the Towns trade) and I think the Spurs might get that version of DDV if they traded for him.

You're right that Castle is quite valuable. But DDV, a pick, and a promising young prospect (like TSJ) might get the job done. Certainly if I were in SAS's front office, I would think very hard about that offer. (Maybe that's why I'm not in a front office.)

Meh. There is an amazing movement shooter that can be had in this draft. I would much rather have him than DDV.

[DonaldDouchebag]

Wish they could have dumped this turd and maybe they still can. Shot .365 from the floor and .318 from 3 during the playoffs. Straight trash.

[Jimi_Thing]

Wish they could have dumped this turd and maybe they still can. Shot .365 from the floor and .318 from 3 during the playoffs. Straight trash.

Personally, I'd trade Donte DiVencenzo for Danny DeVito. Wouldn't even think twice about it.

[twolves31]

Wish they could have dumped this turd and maybe they still can. Shot .365 from the floor and .318 from 3 during the playoffs. Straight trash.

Probably the reason Memphis dumped Bane after shooting 31.7% and 21.9% from three in the playoffs. But yes I don't have an issues moving on from Donte if we can find a clear upgrade.

[DonaldDouchebag]

Wish they could have dumped this turd and maybe they still can. Shot .365 from the floor and .318 from 3 during the playoffs. Straight trash.

Personally, I'd trade Donte DiVencenzo for Danny DeVito. Wouldn't even think twice about it.

I love Danny Devito so I would absolutely do that!

[DonaldDouchebag]

Wish they could have dumped this turd and maybe they still can. Shot .365 from the floor and .318 from 3 during the playoffs. Straight trash.

Probably the reason Memphis dumped Bane after shooting 31.7% and 21.9% from three in the playoffs. But yes I don't have an issues moving on from Donte if we can find a clear upgrade.

Just giving the minutes to Clark and TSJ is a clear upgrade.

[shuttlesworth]

Wish they could have dumped this turd and maybe they still can. Shot .365 from the floor and .318 from 3 during the playoffs. Straight trash.

Probably the reason Memphis dumped Bane after shooting 31.7% and 21.9% from three in the playoffs. But yes I don't have an issues moving on from Donte if we can find a clear upgrade.

Memphis got four unprotected firsts and an unprotected pick swap for Bane...

[weimy froob]

this guy posted this before tonight. i think there's a lot of truth to it, and Donte missing that three reversed all the momentum the Wolves had built up on that 13-0 run. he makes it and they might've broken the Bulls right there. he didn't. couldn't have been more wide open either. he has to make that shot.

[somuchyummy]

this guy posted this before tonight. i think there's a lot of truth to it, and Donte missing that three reversed all the momentum the Wolves had built up on that 13-0 run. he makes it and they might've broken the Bulls right there. he didn't. couldn't have been more wide open either. he has to make that shot.

I think his inability to attack off the bounce is the crunch. That's what we could use more of - what Mike's no longer capable of - what we had hoped we'd get with Rob - what we get off and on with Bones. But as a starter, it's Donte's weakest point IMO. Whoever replaces him as a starter needs to be better in that dept. They don't have to be Kyrie - they just need to be an effective upgrade from Donte with the ball in their hands.

it's probably what irks me the most about the lost cost in Dillingham. he might have the best handles on the team - but you sure as hell would never know it.

[weimy froob]

this guy posted this before tonight. i think there's a lot of truth to it, and Donte missing that three reversed all the momentum the Wolves had built up on that 13-0 run. he makes it and they might've broken the Bulls right there. he didn't. couldn't have been more wide open either. he has to make that shot.

I think his inability to attack off the bounce is the crunch. That's what we could use more of - what Mike's no longer capable of - what we had hoped we'd get with Rob - what we get off and on with Bones. But as a starter, it's Donte's weakest point IMO. Whoever replaces him as a starter needs to be better in that dept. They don't have to be Kyrie - they just need to be an effective upgrade from Donte with the ball in their hands.

it's probably what irks me the most about the lost cost in Dillingham. he might have the best handles on the team - but you sure as hell would never know it.

well i don't think he's a sharp shooter. he misses too many wide open ones for me to say that he is. as for Rob? no way he could've done worse than bite bite in this four game losing streak--and if he did, so what? there's a lack of self-awareness from Mike on how bad his play has been. Dane asked him about his role and he was getting roasted for his answer.

just think of what the reboot could look like if Rob was a legit PG option, even as a backup. Ant, Jaden, Naz, Joan, Rob, TSJ, Leonard. now you go and build around it with some trades, letting contracts expire. i'm ready for Ant 2.0 after the last two games. that involves a new coach too. Naz was playing so well and Finch decides he has to go back to his starting lineup? why? other than he's a push button coach that defers to a pecking order when it comes to playing time. i don't think Micah's taking Reid out of that game. anyways, Ant and Julius did their level best to reverse the momentum the team had and lose that game last night. when your two best players shit the bed like that in clutch time you see the results. i put that just as much on Finch as i do the players, because it's not the first time it's happened this season. think Phoenix.

[ForCaleb]

37% from 3pt isn't going to cut it if that's all your offensive game relies on. That percentage is just slightly above RD and Bones. Inexcusable.

[weimy froob]

didn't think his season numbers were 37.5 from three. nope, that's not a sharpshooter's percentage when you think about how many of them are with a defender not five feet from him and jumping out to contest. last night's miss really hurt. he drains that and the Bulls probably crack. he didn't.

[twolves31]

didn't think his season numbers were 37.5 from three. nope, that's not a sharpshooter's percentage when you think about how many of them are with a defender not five feet from him and jumping out to contest. last night's miss really hurt. he drains that and the Bulls probably crack. he didn't.

He hit a few huge ones in the two San Antonio games. Sometimes he makes them, sometimes he misses them. We are due for a moth or two of 45% three point shooting out of him. That miss against the Bulls hurt big time, he actually missed two wide open threes, but Rudy got the and one rebound on the first miss.

[weimy froob]

didn't think his season numbers were 37.5 from three. nope, that's not a sharpshooter's percentage when you think about how many of them are with a defender not five feet from him and jumping out to contest. last night's miss really hurt. he drains that and the Bulls probably crack. he didn't.

He hit a few huge ones in the two San Antonio games. Sometimes he makes them, sometimes he misses them. We are due for a moth or two of 45% three point shooting out of him. That miss against the Bulls hurt big time, he actually missed two wide open threes, but Rudy got the and one rebound on the first miss.

yeah that worked out nice. DD got in Big Ru's face with a hell yeah, dude type appreciation. i'm hoping for that hot stretch. i didn't know his number had dropped that low. i just assumed he was closer to 40 percent for the season. will let it all play out and see where it's at at the end of the year. but it's time for them to start falling at a higher clip. more consistency would be nice with Donte.

[weimy froob]

Donte hit a big three last night to slow down a potential OKC run. restored some order to the game and after that the Wolves were never threatened again. giving credit where credit is due.

[BuDG123]

He hustles on D, attacks the ball.

The team is doing more of that this year in some games-attacking the ball on the dribble more. Leads to fast break points.

[aztimberwolves]

He’s a decent player on a good contract. But certainly nothing special.

He’s a good role player, but as the Wolves have found out, shouldn’t be your starting PG.

[YBBR]

His defense on SGA and the Thunder created so many turnovers that the Wolves brought down for easy points in transition against a team that is notoriously very sure handed in holding onto the ball. Donte's defense was a HUGE factor in them beating OKC.

[weimy froob]

His defense on SGA and the Thunder created so many turnovers that the Wolves brought down for easy points in transition against a team that is notoriously very sure handed in holding onto the ball. Donte's defense was a HUGE factor in them beating OKC.

did you read the article in the Ant thread about him saying that he needs to commit more to his defense and trust his teammates more on the offensive end to make this thing really work? if it's just not words, that could be a real important component on how the rest of the season plays out.

[weimy froob]

Dane Moore made the point yesterday that where Finch in the past thought that Jaden was the barometer as to how the offense was going, he thinks that this year it's Donte. I'm not so sure about that, but it sure does help when he's hitting his threes. five the other night. as an aside I saw something along the lines that that was the first time in Wolves history that they had three players hit five in a game. something like that.

[boxter432]

well donte basically shot us out of the Thunder series (game 1 he led the team in shots? wtf. 3/12 on 3s, NAW sucked too). i was dying. so maybe its accurate.