There is a scene in the 1992 box office smash Wayne’s World where Wayne (Michael Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey) are demonstrating the powers of the chroma key (it’s a green screen). They describe how the “device” allows them to travel through time and space.
First, the screen turns to the skyline of New York, and Garth exclaims that they are going to a Broadway show. They duo hula as they travel to Hawaii, then tip their caps as they travel to Texas. “Howdy, y’all,” Garth shouts as he runs in place.
Then, in the big finale. Wayne and Garth get serious as Wayne solemnly says, “Imagine being able to be magically whisked away to Delaware.”
Garth stops moving, and his smile turns to confusion. Wayne states, “Hi, I’m in Delaware,” before the scene changes, and Garth looks at Wayne in awkward silence.
Before Donte DiVincenzo arrived in Minnesota, that was easily my favorite pop culture moment from Delaware due to my lack of familiarity with New England. Regardless, DiVincenzo has stolen that crown. He was born in Newark, Del., and played his high school ball at Salesianum in Wilmington.
I feel pretty confident that I’m not alone in being enamored by DiVincenzo’s playstyle and effect on the Wolves, especially after he was one of the principles in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade two days before training camp. It may have been a rocky start in Minnesota, but as the season comes to a close, there’s no doubt that DiVincenzo has been crucial to the Wolves’ success.
DiVincenzo came to Minnesota with a reputation as a three-point shooter. He had just played some of his best basketball in the 2023-24 playoffs. In 13 playoff games for the Knicks, he played 35.8 minutes per game, averaging 17.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 42.5% from three on 8.2 attempts.
His stats alone highlight Tom Thibodeau’s trust in DiVincenzo, so much so that he played over 42.0 minutes in 5 out of those 13 games. DiVincenzo also played a ludicrous 48.0 minutes in New York’s closeout Game 6 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
People had immense expectations for DiVincenzo in 2024-25. He had proven his worth on the biggest stage for a historic franchise – and then they traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
At the time of the trade, it was widely reported that DiVincenzo’s inclusion put New York’s offer over the top, creating a deal the Wolves couldn’t refuse. With his past success and the expectations that he would replace a franchise favorite, DiVincenzo did his best to settle into his new life in Minnesota.
“It’s a good feeling,” he said at his introductory press conference. “When it became an actual thing, my mind went straight to Minnesota.”
Interestingly, DiVincenzo’s game didn’t immediately transfer to Minnesota. He immediately struggled. That was partially due to the adjustment it takes to play with new teammates, especially given the trade happened so close to the start of the new season. It also could be attributed to his new responsibilities as a playmaker and setting up the offense, something he had never been asked to do in his career.
In November, DiVincenzo only shot 34.3% from three and averaged 1.9 turnovers per game, despite just playing 25.2 minutes. However, as the calendar rolled to December, DiVincenzo improved his play in nearly every aspect. He shot 39.8% from three, his turnovers per game dropped to 1.3, and his assists rose to 3.6.
DiVincenzo’s production and play improved every month. Even while out with a Toe injury, he returned and seamlessly fit back into the lineup. In March, post-injury, DiVincenzo literally and figuratively has been fighting for the Wolves as they climbed up the standings, averaging 13.6 points per game on 45.1% three-point shooting. He also cobbled together 3.7 rebounds per game and 3.9 assists to just 0.9 turnovers in the month, in which the Wolves went 11-3.
His advanced stats also reflect how comfortable the Delawarian has become in Minnesota. DiVincenzo’s March 121.1 offensive rating is better than any single-season offensive rating of his career. His 4.23 assist-to-turnover ratio in March and his 21.5% assist percentage are lightyears better than his previous single-season career best of 2.25 and 18.9%.
The 14-game sample size in March shows that Minnesota’s trust in DiVincenzo is paying off. His ability to manage an offense and play mistake-free basketball, evidenced by his assist and turnover stats, while also being able to shoot at an elite level, has become a dangerous combination.
DiVincenzo has progressed in nearly every aspect. His 108.8 defensive rating this season is his best since 2019-20. His +4.5 season-long net rating is his best since that 2020-21 season. DiVincenzo’s rebound numbers may be down slightly, but his tenacity in attacking the offensive glass and boxing out has allowed Rudy Gobert to surge in recent weeks. Now that DiVincenzo has found his role, he has become a key cog in a Wolves team that is 14-3 since March 1.
As the Wolves battle to make it out of the play-in tournament, DiVincenzo’s will be imperative to their final push to the postseason. With Finch returning to a tighter eight-man rotation to close the season, DiVincenzo is not only relied on due to his improvements but also due to his excellent play setting up the offense and ability to fit in on defense.
All this is to say, the Wolves have set themselves up nicely to make a run in the playoffs, and DiVincenzo has set himself up nicely to replace a 33-year-old joke as my favorite thing out of Delaware.
