Given his production in the regular season, Donte DiVincenzo might have priced himself out of Golden State’s range for this upcoming offseason.
After playing in 72 games and averaging 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game with solid defense, DiVincenzo would be wise to turn down his $4.7 million player option for next season and test the market as a free agent for a multiyear deal.
The Warriors are still waiting to unlock that version of DiVincenzo in the postseason, as he has been a relative non-factor through the first 10 games. There are flashes – a 3-pointer here, a rebound there – but DiVincenzo’s bench impact has been minimal.
While speaking with reporters at UCLA during Monday’s shootaround, DiVincenzo admitted the playoffs haven’t been the easiest experience so far.
“Challenging,” DiVincenzo said. “The postseason’s all about adjustments, all about matchups. Being with a team with a core and almost all of ‘em were together last year, so just as a player, you gotta trust the trust the process, trust the coaching decisions, when you get your number called, get out there and do what you’re supposed to do. Everybody knows those stars are gonna play those high minutes. In your minutes you gotta be effective.”
After averaging 26.3 minutes per game in the regular season, DiVincenzo is now averaging about 18.2 minutes per game. He’s averaging 4.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting just 31.1 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from 3-point land. DiVincenzo said the biggest adjustment has been to the slowed down pace in the playoffs, as opposed to the transition game where he often thrives.
“That’s the biggest adjustment, is it's more of a half-court game and it’s all about matchups,” DiVincenzo said.
So, how can he get back to being a major force off the bench?
“Just being more assertive, more aggressive,” DiVincenzo said. “Defensively and offensively. Being aggressive and trying to get everybody involved. Not just trying to be aggressive and get to the rim. We have a lot of scorers on our team. If I can be aggressive and get to the rim, get those guys easy shots, that’s what I can do.”
