NBA
Source reveals why the New York Knicks traded Donte DiVincenzo
Mat Issa is a National NBA Writer. Mat is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Yes, he spells his name with one "t." He went to Michigan State University for seven years, earning his Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctor. Now, he covers the NBA at large for Forbes, The Analyst, FanSided, and, of course, Sportscasting. His work has also been featured on ESPN, The Sporting News, and SB Nation, among other places. Go Green!
Get to know Mat Issa betterPublished2 hours ago on September 28, 2024
On Friday, the basketball received a huge shock, with the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves agreeing to a blockbuster deal involving Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Knicks are sending salary — including DaQuan Jeffries — and draft compensation to Charlotte in three-team Karl-Anthony Towns/Julius Randle deal, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski. https://t.co/dP4x8dTvr9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 28, 2024
The Timberwolves trading their longest-tenured player (who is also a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection) the offseason after making their first Western Conference Finals appearance in two decades is wild. But equally as mind-boggling is the Knicks’ willingness to include Donte DiVincenzo in the deal.
After signing with the Knicks in the 2023 offseason, DiVincenzo established himself as a fan favorite with his hustle and willingness to let it fly from way downtown (40.1% 3-point shooter on 8.7 attempts per game). Plus, he made up one-fourth of the Nova Boys’ quartet. However, it seems like there was some trouble in paradise.
“Donte [DiVincenzo] was really unhappy, and [the Knicks] thought it could be a problem. They also believe that Landry Shamet can provide some quality bench guard minutes,” an anonymous source close to the situation told Sportscasting.
To many, this may seem like a major shock. Personally, I thought DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges all loved the idea of playing together. But according to this source, DiVincenzo didn’t necessarily feel this way.
“He did not. DiVincenzo’s not into the Nova thing,” the source said.
While not mentioned explicitly, it sure sounds like DiVincenzo, who is fresh off a career year, was worried about what the team’s new additions may do to his playing time. After all, there was a good chance DiVincenzo was going to have to come off the bench (so that Bridges and Anunoby could start) after starting in 63 of 81 games in 2023-24.
Last season, DiVincenzo averaged 15.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.3 SPG on 59.7% true shooting in 29.1 minutes per contest (he appeared in 81 games). According to Dunks & Threes, DiVincenzo placed in the 90th percentile in Offensive Estimated Plus-Minus and the 50th percentile in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus (good for the 83rd percentile in overall Estimated Plus-Minus).
