The Minnesota Timberwolves have named a new starting point guard, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Veteran Mike Conley heads to the bench, while Donte DiVincenzo will run Minnesota’s offense.
“Sources: Minnesota Timberwolves will award Donte DiVincenzo the starting point guard spot to open the 2025-26 NBA season. Mike Conley will remain a vital piece,” Haynes posted to his X account.
Conley, entering his age-38 season, had been the starting point guard for the Wolves since arriving in a trade with the Utah Jazz back in 2023.
Since landing in Minnesota, the former Ohio State star’s numbers have steadily declined, culminating in a down year.
The longtime Memphis Grizzly posted 8.2 points per game to go along with 4.5 assists, arguably his worst numbers since his rookie season in 2007-08.
With DiVincenzo now entrenched as the starter, the Timberwolves may lose some playmaking but gain spacing and an extra outside shooting threat in their lineup.
DiVincenzo’s Point Guard Numbers
After last year’s late offseason trade between the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves, no one was sure how it would play out for both teams.
The Knicks acquired longtime Wolves center Karl-Anthony Towns in exchange for Julius Randle and DiVincenzo.
It’s safe to say both franchises came out as winners, with both teams making the Conference Finals in their respective conferences.
The former Villanova standout did get some work at point guard last season in between nagging injuries, and while not as pass-happy as Conley, there were positives.
According to Dunking With Wolves’ Eamon Cassels, DiVincenzo has upside as an orchestrator, despite Conley’s higher floor.
“Say what you will about Conley, but he remains a high-level playmaker and trusted decision maker. The Ohio State product posted an impressive 4.25 assist-to-turnover ratio last season, which ranked 18th in the league. Having a stabilizing force like Conley is vital for a Wolves squad that lacks playmaking,” wrote Cassels.
“Conversely, DiVincenzo posted a 2.27 assist-to-turnover ratio (138th in the league). DiVincenzo would give the Timberwolves a nice boost in terms of shot creation and shooting, but the team’s playmaking is a bigger need. Furthermore, according to Cleaning the Glass, Conley ranked in the 72nd percentile for on-off differential while DiVincenzo ranked in the 48th percentile.”
Minnesota is clearly betting on DiVincenzo improving as the season progresses.
Timberwolves 2025-26 Expectations
The Minnesota Timberwolves enter the 2025-26 season as a top contender in the loaded Western Conference.
After back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances, they look to finally break through this year for a chance at their first NBA championship.
Led by transcendent talent Anthony Edwards, Minnesota has steadily improved each year since drafting the former Georgia standout first overall in 2020.
With the switch from Conley to DiVincenzo as the starting point guard, it likely doesn’t change the amount of possessions Edwards or even Randle will get bringing the ball up the court.
But the problem remains the same: the Wolves don’t have a premier table setter working within the offense.
It’s worked fine for them the last two seasons, as evidenced by their playoff success and deep runs.
But sooner or later, Minnesota is going to need a bona fide point guard to help Edwards run a cleaner offense.
In the meantime, Conley will surely still serve as a prominent veteran voice and leader in the Timberwolves locker room.
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