The New York Knicks are trading Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns.
DiVincenzo had a great season with the Knicks, averaging 15.5 points, 2.7 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 40.1% from three-point range. Despite his success, he was expected to have a smaller role next season because Mikal Bridges joined the team.
DiVincenzo’s Reluctance
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, DiVincenzo wasn’t happy about playing fewer minutes this upcoming season. Begley said, โI can say confidently that DiVincenzo didnโt exactly love the idea of playing fewer minutes/a reduced role this season. He was coming off of a career year and helped the team win a ton of games when it was shorthanded.โ
The Knicks’ Strategy
The Knicks are making big moves this summer by trading draft picks to get Bridges on their team. They decided to trade DiVincenzo now to avoid any potential issues in the locker room and give him a chance to play an important role elsewhere.
Fans appreciate how the Knicks handled this situation.
In return, New York gets Towns, who they have wanted for over a year. Towns will help create space on the floor for Jalen Brunson and other players who drive towards the basket. He also provides stability in the middle and reduces reliance on Mitchell Robinson, who has had injury problems.
Impact on Both Teams
While losing DiVincenzo’s shooting and defense might hurt initially, the Knicks improve their image among players by treating him fairly. The front office made sure everyone benefited from this deal since DiVincenzo deserved more playing time after his standout performance last season.
Overall, both sides should be satisfied with how things turned out
