Timberwolves Make Bold Lineup Move to Start Season

October 22, 2025

The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off their second consecutive trip to the Western Conference Finals as they enter the 2025-26 season. And they'll start the new campaign with a bold lineup move, inserting shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo into the starting lineup as their lead point guard. 

The former New York Knick, DiVincenzo was a key player off the bench for the T-Wolves last season, pouring in threes at a 39.7% clip while averaging 11.7 points and playing his usual strong perimeter defense. His strengths on offense, in addition to hitting from downtown, are moving without the ball and cutting to the basket. 

He is a good passer, but playing the lead point guard role will be a new one for the 6'4" shooter. DiVincenzo averaged 3.6 assists last season and 2.9 per game throughout his seven-year career. 

Longtime starting point guard Mike Conley, now 38, will head to the bench to make way for DiVincenzo in the starting lineup. 

This move has been in the making during the preseason, and is as much about other players as it is about DiVincenzo. ESPN's Zach Kram wrote that Conley "has lost several steps and played just 25 minutes per game last season.

"Donte DiVincenzo would be a more dynamic fit in the Timberwolves' starting lineup -- especially if they feel comfortable giving Edwards more control of the offense as his ascent continues."

Edwards has improved his playmaking in recent years, averaging 4.5 assists per game last season and 5.1 the year before that. He obviously needs to have the ball in his hands an awful lot for the Timberwolves to be successful. A starting backcourt of Ant and DDV will be one heckuva handful for teams to deal with on the offensive end. 

Minnesota tips off its 2025-26 season against the Trail Blazers in Portland Wednesday night. 

Photo: © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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