NBA Rumors: Donte DiVincenzo Didn’t Really Like Knicks’ Role Before Towns Trade | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Although the New York Knicks had no plans to move on from Donte DiVincenzo this offseason, they decided to add him as part of the package to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns.

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, DiVincenzo “didn’t exactly like the idea” of potentially playing a reduced role for the Knicks, as Mikal Bridges likely would have taken his spot in the starting lineup had he remained with the club.

Begley noted that potential dissatisfaction with DiVincenzo likely didn’t play a role in New York’s decision to include him in the trade for Towns.

The Athletics Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski reported Friday that the Knicks would send DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, Keita Bates-Diop and a future first-round draft pick via the Detroit Pistons to the Timberolves for Towns.

New York was in the market for another center, with Mitchell Robinson likely out until at least December while he recovers from offseason ankle surgery. Towns is a major shakeup for an organization that is currently all-in after previously adding Bridges to a core that includes Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby.

After coming off the bench last season, DiVincenzo played his way into the starting lineup for head coach Tom Thibodeau. The 27-year-old started a total of 63 games, only the second time in his career that he started at least 40 games (66 in the 2020/21 season).

DiVincenzo set career highs in minutes per game (29.1), scoring average (15.5 points per game) and three-point percentage (40.1) during the 2023-24 season. His 283 made threes ranked third in the NBA, behind Stephen Curry (357) and Luka Dončić (284).

The Timberwolves don’t have a starting spot open for DiVincenzo with Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley Jr. in the backcourt, but his three-point shooting ability will almost certainly make him an important part of head coach Chris Finch’s final lineup.