3 hours Ago By Scott Davis
The New York Knicks completed their second blockbuster trade in three months, trading Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a protected first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns in a three-team deal. While the Knicks are landing the most talented player in the deal in Towns, it also comes at a massive price in the form of losing DiVincenzo. Between his elite shooting (third in made threes in the NBA last year), feisty defense, and fearlessness, DiVincenzo massively out-played the four-year, $47 million contract he signed with the Knicks and become a crucial part of the team's success.
The Knicks are not just taking a gamble on replacing his shooting, but also betting that they can withstand the culture hit and the salary-cap ramifications. What once looked like a roster that would thrive off chemistry, continuity, and depth is now taking a left turn toward a different identity, with a key piece of last year's success now out the door. Perhaps the addition of Towns and Mikal Bridges — two excellent shooters — will be enough to replace DiVincenzo's shooting.
Bridges was set to slide into DiVincenzo's starting spot , while Towns adds shooting as a stretch five. Driving lanes should be plenty open for Brunson. However, the style in which DiVincenzo got his threes can't be ignored.
DiVincenzo had an almost alarmingly quick trigger, willing to pull up from deep early in the clock. He was excellent at quick cuts into space to open up passing lanes, and he also excelled at dribble hand-off threes, which can make defenses pay. Donte DiVincenzo in the 2nd Half 21 PTS | 8-for-10 FG including these 5 crucial three point makes: pic.
twitter.com/SRLH53rFWL Edit of Donte DiVincenzo stopping and shooting behind the DHO. Great option against the switch.
pic.twitter.com/ynUTYavukz DiVincenzo's defense was also set to be a weapon for the Knicks this season.
DiVincenzo was at times overburdened when being asked to guard elite perimeter players last year. He was always up for the challenge, but he is not a "stopper" on defense. However, with Bridges and OG Anunoby on the roster, DiVincenzo could have made an excellent third defender, an off-ball hawk who could generate more steals and turnovers.
He was one more skilled defender a suddenly long, deep Knicks team could throw on the floor. DiVincenzo brought an ineffable toughness the Knicks will miss, as ESPN and MSG analyst Alan Hahn noted. Trade brought #Knicks much needed size, elite stretch/score versatility + don't forget how tough KAT played Jokic in playoffs.
Concern: injury history and is quite mercurial. What roster now lost in DDV, coupled w/ Hartenstein, is toughness that will be hard to make up. It's a cliché, but not all players are built for the pressure that comes with playing in New York.
DiVincenzo proved many times over that he was up for the challenge. DiVincenzo averaged 17 points per game on 42.5% three-point shooting in the playoffs, elevating his game in the biggest moments.
There was DiVincenzo hitting the biggest three of the season. Forever Legendary. pic.
twitter.com/FgSC2z945A Or another late, clutch three against the Pacers. 🚨 DiVincenzo for the lead! 🚨 39.
4 left on TNT, Pacers ball. https://t.co/ma3LuolnrT pic.
twitter.com/FfLuN8cyHc There he was mixing it up with Myles Turner in the middle of the second round. Donte DiVincenzo dunks on the Pacers then gets into it with Myles Turner pic.
twitter.com/evmuNWWO6Y While Brunson's stardom and Josh Hart's relentlessness often got the bulk of the attention for the "Nova Knicks" culture, DiVincenzo played as big of a role with his competitiveness. As Hart recently said on his "Roommates" show, DiVincenzo had gotten "spicier" in the NBA.
“I feel like he (Donte) has gotten a little...
spicier since college...
He got into it with Kelly Oubre, TJ McConnell...
” Full episode: https://t.co/pWADL8Kb8l pic.twitter.
com/ANIh9iL8lY The Knicks' depth, which looked to be a strength of the roster , takes a hit in the move. Towns will presumably start at center, with Hart sliding into the starting five. A bench that figured to have Hart, DiVincenzo, Miles McBride, and Precious Achiuwa — one of the best units in the league — is now down to two.
An offseason signing will have to move into the rotation. Moving off DiVincenzo's salary is also a blow. As mentioned, DiVincenzo had become a bargain at an average of $12 million per season.
In the age of the "second apron," having quality role players locked into long-term, team-friendly deals is crucial. It's partially why Brunson took a team-friendly extension . The Knicks are thinner and now have fewer avenues to add good players because of the cost of their roster.
With Towns' incoming contract at an average of $55 million per year, plus an impending extension for Bridges , the Knicks are going to get more expensive. Eventually, more tough roster decisions will have to be made to avoid the second apron. The Knicks, obviously, know all of these things.
They traded DiVincenzo at the peak of his value, coming off a career season. Perhaps they thought that some regression was coming for his shooting and that he may struggle in a reduced bench role. Nonetheless, those are theoretical what-ifs.
The Knicks have the talent to compete for a championship this year, but they'll now be challenged with building a new rotation and identity. More Knicks news : Jalen Brunson training camp preview: Can Knicks star maintain MVP-level play? A key part of the Knicks' identity is suddenly in danger this season Why few Knicks players actually live in New York City.
