Donte DiVincenzo’s return could end up being the jolt the Minnesota Timberwolves’ second unit badly needs.
The Timberwolves have put together a roster with very few obvious holes, but the bench remains the one area that still raises eyebrows. Ayo Dosunmu gives Minnesota a genuine difference-maker in a reserve role, yet the group behind him is unsettled.
Joan Beringer, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Bones Hyland all bring talent, but none has proven he can be counted on every night. Jaylen Clark brings defensive value, though his offense is limited, and veteran Trey Lyles offers a fairly low ceiling.
That leaves plenty of volatility, and it also leaves Minnesota needing at least two reliable bench contributors beyond Ayo if it wants to hit its highest level.
The encouraging part for the Wolves is that DiVincenzo’s midseason return still appears to be in play. Chris Finch has called it “pretty likely ”, and DiVincenzo himself has been open about the possibility of coming back during the season. There’s no formal timetable yet, but with Jayson Tatum’s recovery as the guide, a return around the All-Star break doesn’t seem out of the question.
His game makes the fit easy to picture. DiVincenzo isn’t built around burst or explosion, and his value as a spot-up shooter should travel well even if he’s not fully back to himself.
Minnesota wouldn’t need him to be at 100 percent to feel the impact. Just getting him back would give the bench a real lift and take some of the heat off the current concerns.
He also makes sense next to the Wolves’ core because of that shooting. A player who can plug into a complementary role without needing touches is exactly what this bench lacks, and DiVincenzo would strengthen Minnesota’s commitment to its 3-point heavy identity.
There’s a very real downside scenario here too. If the younger players don’t make the leap, the Wolves could again look thin, much like they did last season before Ayo Dosunmu arrived in the middle of the year.
At that point, Naz Reid was the only steady source of bench scoring. After the Dosunmu trade, the situation improved.
Minnesota still didn’t have a great bench, but it stopped being a complete problem.
This year, DiVincenzo could serve as something close to a trade deadline addition without the Wolves having to make one. If Dosunmu is the lone dependable reserve and DiVincenzo returns as expected, that alone could keep the bench from becoming a serious issue.
The upside, though, is a lot more interesting. If Beringer proves ready to handle backup center minutes, and if Shannon or Hyland starts bringing more consistency, DiVincenzo would fit into a group with real depth. In that best-case version, Minnesota could have one of the deepest rotations in the league.
Even the middle ground works. If just one of those unproven players takes hold as a consistent contributor, the Wolves would have eight quality players, and that’s enough to matter in a title chase.
That feels like the most realistic path, too. Beringer looks like the best bet to become a solid backup big over time, even if this season has its bumps. Shannon’s ability to scale up on the ball or settle into a complementary role is harder to trust, and Hyland’s inconsistency remains a concern.
Still, eight dependable rotation players is a major weapon, and DiVincenzo could be the piece that gets Minnesota there if even one of the younger options comes through.
No matter how the rest of the bench sorts itself out, DiVincenzo looks poised to make a meaningful difference for the Timberwolves.
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If that continues, the Wolves could have to ask for more on-ball work from Anthony Edwards and even Ayo Dosunmu to help cover the defensive assignments Clark would otherwise handle. For a team that wants to stay sharp at the point of attack, that creates an early season adjustment worth watching, especially if the rotation settles in without much room for Clark to force his way back in. [Read more 🡒]
Jaden McDaniels May Be Claiming The Bigger Wolves Role Fans Wanted
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The fit around him could matter just as much as the surge itself. With LaMelo Ball expected to help with ball distribution, McDaniels should have more chances to work into cleaner looks, and the Timberwolves faster pace and improved spacing may only help him keep expanding beyond a low-usage role. He has already shown a greater ability to create for himself, and preseason has only strengthened the sense that there may be a bigger role waiting if this carries over. [Read more 🡒]