Timberwolves Bench Trio Shines: Time for Lineup Changes?
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ bench has been a bright spot in recent games, outperforming the starting lineup in many instances. The trio of Naz Reid, Dante DiVincenzo, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been particularly impressive, with their three-man lineups ranking in the 97th percentile league-wide.
This stellar bench performance stands in stark contrast to the struggles of the starting unit. The preferred starting lineup of Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert has slipped to the 54th percentile, with a plus-3.7 net rating. While still positive, it’s a far cry from the dominance we expected from this group.
As we approach the midway point of the season, it’s becoming clear that some rotation tweaks are necessary. Head coach Chris Finch has been hesitant to make drastic changes, but the sample size is now large enough to justify some adjustments.
Rotation Changes for Chris Finch’s Consideration...
One potential change could involve reducing McDaniels’ minutes and increasing DiVincenzo’s playing time. The Wolves should be able to survive with a smaller lineup, given Rudy Gobert’s impact and the versatility of Edwards and DiVincenzo as defenders. Another option is to stagger Julius Randle’s minutes more with Edwards, allowing for better scoring balance. And Josh Minott simply needs to play more, as his off-ball movement and athleticism could provide a spark to the offense.
The bench’s recent success is not just a fluke. DiVincenzo has found his scoring touch, reaching double figures in six of the last seven games. Reid has also rediscovered his form, joining DiVincenzo in scoring in double digits in six of the last seven contests. These performances, coupled with Alexander-Walker’s consistent play, make a strong case for increased minutes for the bench unit.
While there doesn’t necessarily need to be a complete overhaul of the starting lineup, it’s clear that some adjustments are needed to maximize the team’s potential. The Timberwolves still have the talent to be a top-tier team in the Western Conference, but finding the right balance in minutes distribution will be crucial to achieving that goal.
For more insights and a deeper dive into potential lineup changes, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Preview of the upcoming Timberwolves vs. Celtics matchup
• Injury updates for both teams
• Analysis of the previous Wolves-Celtics game from November
