The NBA is a business; one day you can be playing in Madison Square Garden, playing for a historic franchise in the Knicks, and the next day you’re in Minnesota. Learning a new system after being traded to one of the NBA’s youngest franchises is part of the adjustment process. For Minnesota Timberwolves players, Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle, this was their reality.
After helping the New York Knicks win their first playoff series in over a decade in 2023, DiVincenzo and Randle were traded in a deal centered around Karl Anthony-Towns. Many speculated how the two would find their role playing alongside star guard Anthony Edwards. Two seasons later, both players settled into starting roles and strengthened their connection on and off the court.
“The more you play with anybody, the better your connection is,” Minnesota Timberwolves forward Joe Ingles said. “They’ve done a great job. First training camp, when they got here, it was obvious they had played together for a long time, they get each other open looks and play well off each other,” said Ingles.
For Randle, he has thrived as the team’s second option, regaining his playmaking ability while also leading the team with 5.7 assists per game this season (as of Jan. 4th). Randle has also become more effective playing off the ball, particularly with catch-and-shoot opportunities.
Veteran leaders like point guard Mike Conley have appreciated the duo’s chemistry on and off the court. To allow the duo and the overall play of the team to be more effective, Conley and the coaching staff decided to insert DiVincenzo into the starting lineup and move Conley to the bench. Conley took this decision with grace, proving his reputation as a well-respected team member of the NBA.
“It’s new, I would not say it’s challenging, but it’s new territory [coming off the bench],” point guard Mike Conley said, “I’m figuring out my role and how I can be effective in a short time span.”
DiVincenzo has shown significant growth as a ball handler, particularly in pick-and-roll situations, giving the team a consistent two-way guard who complements Edwards. DiVincenzo has kept up his elite three-point shooting this season, shooting around a 37% clip this season on eight attempts per game (as of Jan. 4th).
Throughout DiVincenzo’s career, he has played with a multitude of star players, from three-point snipers like Steph Curry to paint monsters like Giannis Antetokounmpo. Over the past two seasons, DiVincenzo has adapted to playing alongside Edwards.
“His [Edwards] athleticism opens up the floor for others,” DiVincenzo said. “Playing with him is so much fun; there’s never a dull moment in practice. He brings this contagious energy every day.”
