Having solid rotational players with cost-efficient contracts still looks like an underrated part of team building. We can’t predict Keita Bates-Diop production and minutes for the next year, but he is certain to have one of the less expensive contracts — relative to his value — of the Wolves roster in 2019-20 season.

He has been used with the second unit most of the time, but looking at the best Net Ratings on lineups with more than 10 minutes logged, he has strong differentials with starters too, per NBA/stats.

Let’s evaluate his 20 games stint in a disappointing season.

HIS FIT WITH TOWNS

They played together a limited amount of 117 minutes, usually before Ryan calls back on the court the starters. But when he got the chance to stay more than those transitioning stretches, Bates-Diop actually displayed all the different ways he could be an optimal complementary wing next to KAT.

He’s a smart floor spacer, good feel to know when to be in the right spots at the right moment. Having another stretch 3/4 is better for Towns.

 It creates room for open looks on the backside, he’s also a great cutter.

He fills the gaps, he works as a “digger” helping Towns near the rim. The Wolves need to generate more points off opponents turnovers as they did before Covington’s injury.

WEAPON ON SWITCHING

The three times he replaced an injured Wiggins in the starting lineup, Bates-Diop has shown clearly how he can remove size mismatches and being reactive on the perimeter at the same time.

Bates-Diop defensive flexibility is something to track and report.

When he played +15 minutes, he guarded at least 3 different positions on >10 percent of their overall possessions. pic.twitter.com/ZUbF6lpdY6

— Il Puspe (@il_Puspe) March 20, 2019

He still has some timing flaws when he has to scram, though his feet can contain athletic forwards from the perimeter, but sometimes he is over-helping. However, the way he is positioning his body instead of using his hands and how he is switching on bigs like DeAndre Jordan or Valanciunas is already beneficial for the Wolves.

He stays in front of Lamb and Knox and uses his body against seven-footers as well. Ready on the passing lanes and closeouts.

Bates-Diop ceiling is higher than what you should generally expect from a 23/24 years old role player. The Wolves are already over the cap this summer, if Towns will make another All-NBA team, their flexibility shrinks to $14.5 million with (at least) five spots left to fill.

Keita will cost $1,416,852. You can bet on him.