The Timberwolves make a firm decision regarding Donte DiVincenzo as he recovers from his serious injury
The guard continues to recover from the Achilles tendon rupture he suffered during last year’s playoffs.
Minnesota Timberwolves does not plan to trade Donte DiVincenzo this season while the guard continues to recover from the Achilles tendon rupture he suffered during last year's playoffs. Although there is some optimism about the possibility of him returning before the end of the season, the franchise does not want to set deadlines or put pressure on the player.
DiVincenzo is facing the fourth and final year of his four-year, $46.9 million contract signed in 2023 with the New York Knicks. His salary for this season is $12.5 million, so he will enter next summer as a free agent unless he reaches a new agreement beforehand.
The Timberwolves are not considering a trade
DiVincenzo's situation could make him an interesting piece from a trade perspective due to his expiring contract, but Minnesota has no intention of using him as a trade chip.
Brian Windhorst explained on The Hoop Collective that the franchise is aware of the uncertainty surrounding recoveries from Achilles tendon ruptures and, for that reason, does not expect DiVincenzo to make a significant contribution for much of the season.
"And to be clear, they have no plans to trade him."
The journalist also noted that there is a much more moderate internal expectation: the Timberwolves are not counting on DiVincenzo, but they maintain hope that he can return at some point before the end of the season and help the team.
Caution with his return
Recovery from such an injury makes Minnesota want to act with special caution. Windhorst cited examples of Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton to explain how unpredictable the recovery process can be after an Achilles tendon rupture.
The journalist also recalled the case of Jayson Tatum and his situation following a similar injury, emphasizing that even when 16 or 17 months have passed since the injury, there is no guarantee that the recovery will go smoothly.
For this reason, the Timberwolves do not want to set a specific date for DiVincenzo's return. The priority is for the player to complete his recovery without taking unnecessary risks.
"It is unrealistic to think that the Timberwolves can count on significant contributions from Dante this year, and I don't believe they will," Windhorst explained.
However, the journalist added that, after so many years following the NBA, he knows how these situations typically unfold. Minnesota is not setting official expectations about DiVincenzo, but there is hope internally that he can return before the end of the season and contribute to the team.
An important piece before the injury
DiVincenzo's absence is a setback for the Timberwolves after the great season the guard had last year.
The player played all 82 regular-season games with Minnesota, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 30.4 minutes per game, with a 37.9% shooting percentage.
His availability throughout the season allowed the Timberwolves to count on an important piece in their rotation, but now the franchise will have to face much of the season without knowing when they will be able to count on him again.
The numbers of Donte DiVincenzo
| Statistic | Last season |
|---|---|
| Games | 82 |
| Minutes | 30.4 |
| Points | 12.2 |
| Rebounds | 4.1 |
| Assists | 3.8 |
| Shooting Percentage | 37.9% |
| Current Contract | 4 years, $46.9 million |
| Salary this season | $12.5 million |
| Contract Situation | Expires at the end of the season |
Minnesota keeps the door open for his return
The Timberwolves' stance reflects that the franchise does not want to make a hasty decision regarding one of their key players. Although DiVincenzo has an expiring contract and could represent a market tool, the team is not currently considering trading him.
The priority will be to wait and see how his recovery progresses. If he manages to return before the end of the season, Minnesota hopes to leverage his experience and ability to contribute on both sides of the court.
Until then, the Timberwolves will maintain caution. There are no official expectations on when DiVincenzo will return, but there is hope within the organization that the guard can come back in time to help the team in the decisive stretch of the season.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los Timberwolves toman una decisión firme con Donte DiVincenzo mientras se recupera de su grave lesión
