Because the Knicks and Timberwolves gathered for handshakes and hugs following Sunday’s preseason sport, New York assistant coach Rick Brunson and Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo needed to be separated from each other following a verbal change.
“Some phrases. I don’t know absolutely nicely what was stated,” DiVincenzo, the ex-Knicks guard, stated after the sport. “Lots of people there. However I actually don’t have any touch upon the state of affairs. I feel we’ll each be males and discuss it privately.”
DiVincenzo was again at Madison Sq. Backyard for the primary time for the reason that Karl-Anthony Cities commerce, which despatched him from New York to Minnesota.
He obtained off to a robust begin on Sunday, scoring 9 factors within the first six minutes.
On the 6:12 mark, DiVincenzo drove and hit a shot within the paint over Cities and drew a foul on the play. Whereas on the free-throw line, DiVincenzo yelled over to the Knicks’ bench.
“I can’t end, proper Thibs?” DiVincenzo stated, based on a broadcast of the sport.
DiVincenzo later stated that he was joking along with his former head coach Tom Thibodeau.
“I used to be speaking to Thibs. I didn’t say something in regards to the commerce, and that was it,” he stated.
DiVincenzo is also heard yelling “That’s what occurs once they allow you to run the present,” whereas on the free-throw line.
Requested about that remark after the sport, DiVincenzo stated, “Clearly they’ve me on video saying it. And I’m not there anymore. I play, I’m aggressive, I put on my coronary heart on my sleeve and that’s all it was.”
The guard didn’t remark additional in regards to the incident however DiVincenzo gave the impression to be yelling at Rick Brunson, a Knicks assistant coach and father of Knicks star Jalen Brunson.
Rick Brunson and DiVincenzo, presumably, know one another nicely as he performed at Villanova with Jalen and the 2 shaped an in depth friendship off the court docket as he was a groomsman on the youthful Brunson’s wedding ceremony.
So I feel it’s honest to imagine that DiVincenzo spent important time with the Brunson household earlier than his tenure with the Knicks.
“My relationship with Jalen – that’s my brother, my finest good friend. That’s a separate relationship,” DiVincenzo stated when requested about Brunson. “I stated I’ll discuss that privately and determine that out.”
DiVincenzo, after all, was a key piece within the Cities commerce. Minnesota had coveted DiVincenzo for a while; they had been aggressive in making an attempt to signal him in 2023 free company. I don’t suppose the Cities deal will get carried out with out DiVincenzo in it.
New York had talked to Minnesota at completely different factors within the offseason a few potential commerce and was hesitant to incorporate DiVincenzo.
The guard was coming off one in every of his finest NBA seasons final 12 months and he set the Knicks’ franchise single-season report for three-pointers made.
DiVincenzo additionally performed an enormous position within the Knicks’ skill to climate accidents to important gamers and win 50 regular-season video games.
Finally, New York clearly felt that Cities was sufficient of an improve to justify sending a package deal that included Julius Randle, DiVincenzo and a first-round choose to Minnesota.
Cities regarded sturdy on Sunday, ending with 16 factors and 16 rebounds.
DiVincenzo obtained a protracted, loud ovation from the Backyard crowd throughout pre-game introductions on Sunday. That love and appreciation is mutual, DiVincenzo says.
“My love for Knicks followers is thru the roof. I’ve stated it – it was one in every of my finest years of my life enjoying right here final 12 months,” DiVincenzo stated earlier than the sport. “It’s one thing you dream about doing. I didn’t plan to get traded. I didn’t signal right here (in New York) pondering, ‘I’m signing a four-year deal, I hope I get traded a 12 months in.’
“In order that’s that a part of it. You all the time obtained to separate the enterprise side with the followers. I feel the followers will all the time have a particular place in my coronary heart.”
