The Timberwolves are facing some big questions, months after trading away star Karl Anthony Towns. After a few closed-door meetings, and many questions from the media about a possible lineup change, coach Chris Finch finally changed things up by inserting Donte DiVincenzo into the starting five. Mike Conley would go to a reserve role. For both Donte and Mike, it’s benefited both players so far.
Conley to Bench: New Look Sparks Timberwolves Victory
With this change, it has benefited numerous players. DiVincenzo has been able to play the point and use the play-making skills that the Wolves have coveted since trading for him, Donte also provides a much quicker pace and better three-point shooting. In both games in the starting lineup, he has scored in double figures and put up an efficient +19 while on the court.
This change has also benefitted Mike Conley, now with a mix of starters and reserves Conley doesn’t have to rely on scoring. He has good chemistry with Rudy Gobert and displays great teamwork with Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. With Walker and Jaden McDaniels on the court, Conley doesn’t have to guard the quickest player on the court which will help him on the offensive side of the ball, also finding open teammates on the fast break opportunities.
Minnesota is 2-0 since the change, and I know it’s a small sample set but given what they have without a trade happening puts them on the right track. Defensively they have held both teams under 40% shooting and have forced 27 turnovers resulting in 42 points off turnovers, an area the Wolves are in the bottom half of the NBA.
Closing Time Magic: Wolves Lineup Finding its Rhythm?
Another adjustment made by Coach Finch was finding a new lineup to close games. he went with a lineup of Edwards, DiVincenzo, Alexander-Walker, Randle, and Reid sparked a huge 23-6 scoring run to end the game, and helped them get a win. Although, Reid fouled out and was replaced by McDaniels. This lineup gives the Timberwolves the most success and gives them four guys on the floor who are real threats from three-point range. In the final few minutes, the guys were moving the ball, driving and kicking, following their shots, and doing anything they could to be productive.
We have seen more of this lineup on the court lately, and the numbers tell us why they need to be out there. they have a higher net rating than the starters do. This lineup has been the team’s second-most-used lineup this season. Will Chris Finch have the confidence in them to play more minutes going forward?
Jonathan Bachman/GettyImages
The Trade Machine: Wolves Caught in the Whirlwind
As much as the Timberwolves fans hated the Randle-Towns trade, there have been a few more rumored trades not involving Julius Randle. former NBA player Chandler Parsons offered his view, saying that trading Rudy Gobert might benefit the Timberwolves. parsons picked out two targets, the Chicago Bulls Nikola Vucevic and the Washington Wizards Jonas Valanciunas.
Parsons said: “Maybe look what you can get for Gobert. Maybe you can get a stretch big man to pair with Julius Randle and get Vucevic, who makes more sense than Rudy Gobert with Randle, or get Valanciunas.
“There are other guys that can stretch the floor a little bit better than Gobert that would fit with Julius more.
“I don’t think this fits just basketball-wise, spacing-wise.
“Anthony Edwards eats space, and he needs open floors, open lanes.
“He’ll never get it with Gobert and Randle on the floor together.”
X Explodes: Wolves Fans Debate Randle’s 2023-24 Impact
Beyond the Buzz: Wolves Must Grind Through Trade Rumors
There will be a lot of buzz between now and the trade deadline on February 6th, it’s clear the Wolves are trying to do whatever they can to play better without making a trade. It’s believed by many that they do indeed need to trade either Gobert or Randle to maximize Ant’s potential and allow the team to make a legitimate run into the playoffs. The Wolves are currently sitting in the 8th seed in the Western Conference Standings. They Will travel to Orlando tonight to try and get a 3rd straight win.
For more great Hardwood Heroics Content
Follow me on Twitter at @Ruze_Twins. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional sports, click here.
