NBA Free Agency: Warriors' Donte DiVincenzo to Knicks?
The New York Knicks have been building a Villanova pipeline for the past year, signing Jalen Brunson as their premier free agent a year ago and trading for Josh Hart at the deadline in February.
Now, they could form a trio with Golden State Warriors free agent guard Donte DiVincenzo.
DiVincenzo, 26, averaged 9.4 points per game with the Warriors last season on a two-year contract with a player option for 2023-24, and it's possible that he could look for more of a long-term deal this summer.
According to SNY's Ian Begley, some Knicks executives are "fans of the idea" to sign DiVincenzo.
To that end, several influential members of the organization support the idea of signing Donte DiVincenzo in free agency this summer," Begley said. "DiVincenzo has a player option for 2023-24. The Knicks, as currently constituted, will have access to the $12.2 million non-taxpayer exception in the offseason."
"I don’t know if there is mutual interest but DiVincenzo played with both Brunson and Josh Hart at Villanova," Begley continues. "Hart is a potential free agent and it would be stunning if he didn’t re-sign in New York on a multi-year agreement if he chooses to test free agency."
One could perhaps count Hart among those influencers: the free-agent-to-be called for DiVincenzo to sign with the Knicks in an interview with Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks earlier this month.
The Knicks need help in the three-point shooting department, and DiVincenzo's 39.7 percent mark from last season would help fulfill that need. New York is also poised to net $15.6 million back after declining Derrick Rose's option for the 2023-24 season.
DiVincenzo also has championship experience, winning the 2021 NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks. Along with Brunson, he was also one of several Wildcats to partake in the two national championship runs during the Jay Wright era in 2016 and 2018. In the latter, DiVincenzo set a Final Four record with 31 points off the bench in the National Championship victory over Michigan, earning the Most Oustanding Player Award for his efforts.
It appears that DiVincenzo checks off a ton of boxes, but signing him does have drawbacks: if he comes in, he could create a logjam with Miles McBride, Quentin Grimes, and Immanuel Quickley in the backcourt. With Quickley becoming a free agent a year from now, it could push the Sixth Man of the Year runner-up away from the Knicks.
DiVincenzo will also warrant a starter's salary, but he'd likely come off the bench in New York and the Knicks would be overpaying someone rather than getting someone of better value on the open market.
That being said, the pros certainly outweigh the cons and the fit makes a ton of sense, so fans should keep an eye on DiVincenzo in free agency.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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