Apr 2, 2018; San Antonio, TX, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Donte DiVincenzo (10) celebrates with Jalen Brunson (1) after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 79-62 in the championship game of the 2018 men's Final Four at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Rumors: Knicks-Villanova chatter grows hotter as free agency nears
After watching the New York Knicks shoot 29% from deep in the playoffs, every fan knows that the team’s biggest need entering the offseason is shooting. When you couple that with the front office’s apparent strategy to add players from Villanova’s 2016 national championship team, it would make perfect sense for the Knicks to sign Donte DiVincenzo in free agency.
The 26-year-old has a $4.7 million player option for 2023-24 that he’s expected to decline after he averaged 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 72 games for the Warriors while shooting 43.5% from the field and a career-high 39.7% from three. As much as Golden State would like to re-sign DiVincenzo in free agency, his price tag will be too high.
And that’s where Leon Rose and New York come in. Not only would DiVincenzo help to fill a Knicks need off the bench, but he’d get to reunite with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. Remember how Brunson reacted when the front office traded for Hart ahead of the deadline? Imagine what his reaction would be if New York not only kept Hart for 2023-24 but signed DiVincenzo, too.
Donte DiVincenzo-New York Knicks free agency chatter grows hotter
Josh Hart had a midnight deadline on June 24 to decide on his $12.96 million player option for next season, but he and the Knicks decided to extend the deadline to Thursday, June 29. He could opt into his player option and then be eligible to sign an extension in the range of four years, $81 million ahead of the 2024-25 season. Regardless of what Hart decides to do, he’s most likely going to stay in New York.
Then there’s Donte DiVincenzo. According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, “… there’s been growing noise among league personnel about DiVincenzo joining former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart in New York.” The Knicks would be a near-perfect fit for the guard.
In April, DiVincenzo was a guest on Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner’s ‘Point Forward’ podcast, where he talked about his close relationship with Brunson and said that the two are still best friends. In a Bleacher Report interview with Taylor Rooks, Hart said that he was trying to get DiVincenzo to New York. All that’s left to do is for the Knicks to actually sign DiVincenzo.
Donte DiVincenzo said a couple of months ago that he “would love” to stay with the Warriors but between his looming free agency and the opportunity to possibly reunite with two of his former Villanova teammates, it’s looking as if the Knicks are going to add a third Wildcat to the roster this summer.
