Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle made their return to Madison Square Garden on Sunday for the first time since the Knicks-Timberwolves trade. Randle watched from the bench in casual clothes while DiVincenzo took the court as a starter, sinking his first shot against his old team. Though DiVincenzo’s stint in New York was brief compared to Randle’s five seasons, he experienced several unforgettable moments in his single year there. One highlight was his clutch three-pointer at MSG during the playoffs against the Sixers, a moment that fans cherish. The Knicks were not eager to see DiVincenzo go.
He had a standout season last year and was part of the beloved Villanova Knicks group. Few anticipated that he would be traded just one year after signing a four-year deal in free agency, but the NBA operates as a business. Following Shams Charania’s announcement of the trade, rumors spread on social media suggesting that DiVincenzo was unhappy with the Knicks. However, prior to Sunday’s preseason game, he dismissed these claims as “completely untrue,” expressing his “super excitement” about the Mikal Bridges trade and his assurance that he wasn’t concerned about a potential reduction in his role. Joe Ingles, however, provided a different perspective. While DiVincenzo addressed the media, Ingles humorously asserted that the rumors might hold some truth. In response, DiVincenzo quipped that he wanted to be traded back to New York after realizing Ingles was now his teammate.
As DiVicenzo was starting interviews with NY media Joe Ingles shouted "Donte, tell them you requested a trade, you didn’t want to f**king be there anymore, you were sick of that team, all the reports are true." Donte said when he saw Ingles was in Minny he asked to go back to NY.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) October 13, 2024
DiVincenzo thought he had left behind the antics of Josh Hart, but now he finds himself dealing with Ingles, who joined the Timberwolves on a one-year deal during free agency. Returning to New York isn’t as simple for DiVincenzo. Fans would gladly welcome him back to the Knicks, but the Timberwolves are unlikely to allow that. Minnesota had its eye on DiVincenzo in the 2023 free agency, but he ultimately chose New York instead. Perhaps it was destiny for him to play with the Timberwolves after all. He’s set to be a crucial player for one of the top teams in the West. While it’s just preseason, his shooting reflects his strong performance from last season with the Knicks, leaving Timberwolves fans excited to have the sharpshooter on their roster. DiVincenzo’s contract extends through the 2026-27 season, and he’ll have the opportunity for an extension before then. Although he’s switched teams several times recently, Minnesota could become his permanent home. One thing remains clear: he will always have a place in New York.
Leave a Reply