Louisville Basketball: Goals for Each Former Card in the NBA

Gorgui Dieng

Goal: Find a new home with more minutes and become near double-double guy again.
Things started off great with Gorgui Dieng when he was drafted by the Timberwolves. After getting adjusted to the speed of the NBA after being a first round pick back in 2014, Dieng quickly became a near double-double big man for the Timberwolves. In 2014-15, Dieng averaged 9.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, before posting two straight seasons of double digit scoring and near double digit rebounding. In the fall of 2016, Dieng agreed to a four year, $64 million contract to stay with the Timberwolves.

Dieng started at center for three years for the Timberwolves, until former Bulls head coach, Tom Thibodeau, was hired to be the team’s new Head Coach. Thibodeau had a very distinct style, and his job was to take the young, talented team full of potential to the next level. However, that meant less time for the reserves, a spot Gorgui Dieng found himself in.

With the signing of Taj Gibson (a former Chicago Bull) Dieng, who started 82 games the season before, was moved to the backup center role. That move played a major part in the production of Dieng, as his minutes went from a career high 32.4  in 2016-17 to 16.9 (the lowest since his rookie season) as did his points/rebounds (5.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg). It became clear that Dieng was no longer in the long-term plans of the Timberwolves and a fresh start was likely needed.

Now with the Wolves surrounded by turmoil due to Jimmy Butler, a player who has requested for a trade multiple times this offseason, it could just be a matter of time before Gorgui Dieng and his hefty contract is moved. Teams like the Nets, Hawks, and Kings have all been mentioned as possible landing spots, however many are weary of taking on the aforementioned contract.

What a year will do to some people. Most have forgotten just how good Gorgui Dieng was during the 2016-17 campaign, one where he showed he could absolutely be a starting center in the NBA.

This season Dieng will likely continue to play limited minutes unless a move is made. If Dieng is able to be traded I fully expect him to get back to his 9/10 point per game average and resume the upward trajectory he showed during the first four years of his NBA career.

Ray Spalding

Goal: Earn minutes in the Mavericks rotation
In recent years late second round picks have been able to latch onto NBA rosters in hopes of becoming an NBA rotation player, or more. Some go the G-League route and spend a few seasons developing before being signed to a non-guaranteed deal. While some go overseas to develop their games in hopes of coming back to the NBA.

For Ray Spalding, he is one the guys who showed enough during the NBA Summer league to earn a contract from the team that drafted him. Now, with the Dallas Mavericks, Spalding is looking to take it to the next level and prove that he is worthy of being in the Mavs rotation. In the NBA, getting minutes is often situational, but he could provide a ton of length at the four next to DeAndre Jordan.

In the pre-season, he showcased the ability to be an absolute nightmare for opponents. If he continues to do this, he will have to see some playing time:

At some point this season, Spalding will have his name called and have to play double digit minutes. If he can continue his strong play into the regular season, he will become an asset for this Mavs team.