Donte DiVincenzo Has Quietly Become the Glue That Holds the Timberwolves Together
When the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled the trigger on a late-September blockbuster in 2024-sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick-it raised eyebrows across the league. Not just because of the timing, which came right before training camp, but because of the pieces involved.
The Wolves’ insistence on including DiVincenzo in the deal was seen as a bold ask at the time. Now, 15 months later, it looks like a masterstroke.
Let’s be clear: Randle has held up his end of the deal. He’s delivered production that’s been comparable to what Towns brought to Minnesota.
But it’s DiVincenzo who’s turned this trade from solid to sensational for the Timberwolves. He’s not just a throw-in.
He’s become a foundational piece of what Minnesota is building.
A Movement Shooter with More Than Just Range
DiVincenzo is averaging 13.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 41.3% from the field, 38% from three, and 76.9% from the line. Solid numbers, but they don’t tell the full story. What makes him so valuable is how he gets those numbers-and what he does in between the box score.
He’s one of the league’s premier movement shooters, ranking 11th in the NBA in threes made per game. That’s no small feat in a league where spacing is king.
His ability to relocate, come off screens, and fire on the move gives the Timberwolves’ offense a whole new dimension. He’s not just a spot-up guy-he’s a constant motion machine, dragging defenders with him and creating room for stars like Anthony Edwards to operate.
When Edwards drives and the defense collapses, DiVincenzo is right there-ready to catch, shoot, and punish teams for helping. That kind of shooting gravity changes the geometry of the floor.
It opens up driving lanes, unclogs the paint, and keeps defenders honest. Simply put, he makes the game easier for everyone around him.
The “RaGlue” Effect
But what’s really elevated DiVincenzo’s value in Minnesota is everything else he brings. He’s not just a shooter. He’s what every coach dreams of in a role player: smart, scrappy, unselfish, and relentless.
Nicknamed “The Big Ragu” since his college days, Timberwolves insider Kyle Theige recently dubbed him “The Big RaGlue”-a nod to how seamlessly he holds everything together. It’s fitting. DiVincenzo does all the little things that don’t always show up in highlight reels but win you games over the course of a season.
He’s not a lockdown defender, but he’s active, instinctive, and disruptive. He averages 1.7 stocks (steals + blocks) per game and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He’ll dive on the floor, take a charge, rotate early-whatever it takes to make a play.
He also rebounds well for his position and is constantly making the extra pass. His cutting and off-ball movement are elite, and he’s always looking to keep the offense flowing.
In a league filled with players who need the ball to be effective, DiVincenzo thrives without it. That’s rare-and incredibly valuable.
A Critical Piece in a Contender’s Puzzle
With Mike Conley showing signs of age and the Wolves lacking consistent perimeter creation beyond Edwards, DiVincenzo’s versatility has become even more important. He’s stepped into a starting role and hasn’t looked back, giving Minnesota a two-way guard who fits perfectly alongside their core.
You don’t always notice DiVincenzo on first watch. He’s not going to dominate the ball or put up gaudy numbers every night. But if you really watch the Wolves play-watch how the offense flows, how the defense rotates, how the energy shifts-you start to see his fingerprints everywhere.
He’s the kind of player every contender needs. The kind of player who makes stars better. The kind of player who can swing a playoff series without needing 20 shots to do it.
Looking Back, Looking Brilliant
It’s easy now to say Minnesota made the right call in holding firm on DiVincenzo’s inclusion in the Towns trade. But at the time, it wasn’t a guarantee.
The Knicks were hesitant to part with one of their beloved Villanova core, and for good reason. DiVincenzo brought toughness, shooting, and chemistry to that group.
But the Wolves saw something. And now, with the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear they were right to trust their instincts.
This wasn’t just a trade. It was a turning point. And Donte DiVincenzo-movement shooter, defensive pest, floor spacer, glue guy-is right at the heart of it.