Normally, preseason games are fairly nondescript. Normally seen as an opportunity to improve fitness, get used to new surroundings, and figure out rotations. Not so for this recent preseason matchup between the New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves, as Donte DiVincenzo had words for the Knicks after the recent controversial trade.
This was the first meeting since the blockbuster trade that saw Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo head to Minnesota and Karl-Anthony Towns head to his hometown, New York. Opinions have varied over the trade. Particularly, the Knicks surprisingly broke up the ‘Nova boys’ by trading Brunson’s groomsman at his wedding, DiVincenzo. The Knicks signed DiVincenzo last offseason, and the deal proved to be a steal of a signing, particularly after he broke the franchise’s single-season three-point record.
The Knicks reasoned that they needed a center, and KAT is one of the best scoring bigs in the league. One that can space the floor, shoot at a 40% clip from three and provide elite rebounding at the position. They figured that was a bigger priority than a wing, which they have extraordinary depth at the position. Plus, by adding Landry Shamet they feel he can be a similar value signing to cover the loss of Donte. Alongside Mikal Bridges Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby, that’s too many mouths to feed.
Still, there is also a fair likelihood that they’ll live to regret moving a player like Donte. Rarely do you find a player in the league that constantly makes the right play, the winning play. A consummate teammate who doesn’t need the ball in his hands cuts and busts through screens with the best of them. Not to mention one who defends well and shoots the cover off the ball. The Knicks’ loss is unquestionably the Timberwolves’ gain. Call it a hunch, but judging by Donte’s words toward the Knick bench, he may also have unresolved feelings about how the trade went down.
DiVincenzo Has Words For Knicks After Controversial Trade
One thing is clear: this is a tough business. Knick fans, indeed DiVincenzo, didn’t have much time to bathe in the glory of his historic buzzer-beating three in Game 2 against the Sixers in the playoffs. Furthermore, being the last man standing in their subsequent war of attrition series loss to the Pacers. Less than six months later he’s now wearing another uniform.
Donte seemed to have had plenty to say to the Knicks bench the other night, as DiVincenzo has words for the Knicks.
It started with a harmless joke aimed at Coach Tom Thibodeau – Donte finished with a tough layup and chirped “I can’t finish huh Thibs?!”
Above the rim Donte talking to Knicks bench – regular then voice enhanced pic.twitter.com/cfZDlRofj9
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 14, 2024
Then things started to get interesting as he got into it with Knicks Assistant Rick Brunson – Jalen’s father. According to reports he appeared to shout toward the bench at the free throw line – “That’s what happens when they let you run the show. Let Dad be the coach.” This seems to be a shot at how Donte feels about who were the main people behind his trade from the Knicks, particularly Jalen’s Father.
This continued into a heated verbal exchange post-game between the two, with them needing to be separated.
Donte DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson had to be separated after a heated exchange postgame. pic.twitter.com/K2K7vz1g3w
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) October 14, 2024
Rick Shouldn’t Have Engaged
I’m not certain what Rick Brunson hoped to accomplish by engaging. Divo is a passionate guy. It’s not unusual for players to talk a little smack when at the free-throw line. As a coach, I’d expect Rick Brunson to have allowed that grace, even if it was aimed at him.
At the end of the day, if Rick did advocate for the deal, then he got what he wanted, so why engage? If it’s not true, why not take him aside and clarify quietly rather than on camera? I can understand DiVo’s point. From Donte’s perspective, he will be determined to prove the Knicks made a grave mistake in adding him to the trade. One thing is for sure: when the two sides meet during the regular season at the Garden in January, it promises to be fiery and great for the NBA.
Does DiVo Have a Beef With The Knicks?
I think it’s fairly obvious Donte is far from happy that he was traded. In the immediate aftermath of the deal, there were initial reports that DiVincenzo was unhappy about losing playing time to Bridges and was open to a trade. However, DiVo’s camp quickly denied these reports. As far as saying to insider Stefan Bondy, they were ‘completely untrue.’ Judging by the way he reacted during this preseason game, he didn’t want to be traded. This much is obvious.
It’s understandable for DiVincenzo to be upset. Yes, it’s a business, but they are human at the end of the day. He agreed to a four-year deal with the Knicks just 12 months prior. He was part of something special last year with close friends of his. Now, he has to move to the opposite part of the country on the eve of camp. He may feel, what more could he do than provide a historic career year for that team? It’s fairly forgivable that he’d have feelings about how the trade went down so close to the season starting.
Randle has also had to uproot his young family and take his son out of the NY school system. Randle also gave his blood, sweat, and tears to the franchise. Let’s not forget he didn’t take a max deal after 2021 to allow the Knicks to build a Championship team around him. Yet they move him after a career year from him. Ideally, these trades are best done with all parties prepared. This doesn’t appear to be the case. There is a sense of unfinished business from Randle and DiVincenzo. Waiting until this late in the offseason is surprising. Blockbuster deals like this are normally best done early in the offseason to allow players to settle.
Did Both Teams Lose This Trade?
Michael Pina’s article for The Ringer breaks down the similar feelings I have on the deal.
From a basketball perspective, on paper, the trade is a win for the Knicks. They unquestionably get the best player. But looking closely at it, they haven’t solved their frontcourt defensively. It may not have been prudent to take on $220 million of KAT when a smaller move that didn’t cost two stars may have been more prudent. At least in the short term, to provide more flexibility.
In DiVincenzo, they traded their record-breaking perimeter shooter, one of their best defenders, and one of the most gritty, durable players in the league. KAT upgrades the center spot offensively, but he’s hardly known as gritty or a good defender. Plus, he had issues with Thibs back in Minnesota. In Randle, they traded someone similarly gritty and coming off a better scoring season than Towns- 24 points per game to 21.8.
KAT seemed a perfect fit in Minnesota. He shared the scoring load with Anthony Edwards, combining as franchise players. While Rudy Gobert partnered with him to handle the dirty work defensively. However, KAT has extremely close ties to the Knicks Front Office. Gersson Rosas and Leon Rose have close ties to him, and KAT is a native New Yorker. The Knicks were highly motivated to get the deal done all Summer. Particularly VP Gersson Rosas, the ex-Timberwolves executive.
The Knicks wanted KAT eventually, and they likely took the opportunity now to land him. It seems there are plenty of hurt feelings with how the deal went down, which will take time. It promises to be a fascinating season ahead. DiVincenzo’s words for the Knicks add a further layer to this storyline. The next time these two sides meet in January, it promises to be electric.
