Donte DiVincenzo is Now Ready to Deliver for Timberwolves

Abrupt Change

Being traded so abruptly last season clearly played a role in DiVincenzo’s disappointing year. Reporters, fans, and even his teammates could see that the move had thrown him off.

“From what I felt, I think he was still hanging on to some frustration from what happened,” Wolves center Rudy Gobert said.

Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic put it plainly: “No matter how often he said that he was happy to be in Minnesota, no matter how welcoming his new teammates and coaches were to a player they so desperately needed, DiVincenzo could not help himself from holding on to what he left behind.”

And it’s hard to blame him. After his best NBA season and an electrifying playoff run, DiVincenzo had become a beloved figure in New York City. He was looking forward to playing alongside three of his college teammates and closest friends, forming the so-called “Villanova Knicks”. He had just welcomed a child, was settling into life in New York, and was making plans for the season—only to be traded to Minnesota just two days before training camp. Understandably, the sudden shift threw him off.

Now, with time to process and settle in, DiVincenzo sounds at peace—and even excited—about his future with the Timberwolves. “This is home. I want to be here… I’m happy as hell… My family’s here. I’m raising my family here. It’s a beautiful city. I want to be here. Now, just go play.”

Ready for Action

With a full season in Minnesota, a long playoff run to the Western Conference Finals, and now a complete offseason under his belt, there should be no lingering effects from last year’s abrupt trade. With that stability, Timberwolves fans have high hopes for DiVincenzo heading into this season.

The expectation is that he can more closely replicate his final year in New York. That would mark a significant boost for the Wolves. Last season, DiVincenzo averaged 11.7 points on 42.2% shooting from the field and 39.7% from three. By comparison, in his final season with the Knicks, he put up 15.5 points per game on 44.3% shooting overall and 40.1% from deep.

With greater familiarity with his teammates, a stronger comfort level in Minnesota, and a more defined role, DiVincenzo looks poised to improve on his first season with the Wolves and emerge as a more impactful contributor for a team with championship aspirations.