In MSG return, Donte DiVincenzo trades phrases with Knicks' bench, assistant Rick Brunson

Because the Knicks and Timberwolves gathered for handshakes and hugs following Sunday’s preseason recreation, New York assistant coach Rick Brunson and Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo needed to be separated from each other following a verbal alternate.

“Some phrases. I don’t know totally nicely what was stated,” DiVincenzo, the ex-Knicks guard, stated after the sport. “Lots of people there. However I actually haven’t any touch upon the scenario. I believe we’ll each be males and discuss it privately.”

DiVincenzo was again at Madison Sq. Backyard for the primary time since the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, which despatched him from New York to Minnesota.

He bought off to a powerful 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, in response to a broadcast of the sport.

DiVincenzo later stated that he was joking together 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 after 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 seemed 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 courtroom as he was a groomsman on the youthful Brunson’s wedding ceremony.

So I believe it’s truthful to imagine that DiVincenzo spent vital time with the Brunson household earlier than his tenure with the Knicks.

“My relationship with Jalen – that’s my brother, my finest pal. 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 attempting to signal him in 2023 free company. I don’t suppose the Cities deal will get completed with out DiVincenzo in it.

New York had talked to Minnesota at totally different factors within the offseason a few potential commerce and was hesitant to incorporate DiVincenzo.

The guard was coming off certainly one of his finest NBA seasons final yr and he set the Knicks’ franchise single-season report for three-pointers made.

DiVincenzo additionally performed an enormous function within the Knicks’ potential to climate accidents to vital gamers and win 50 regular-season video games.

Finally, New York clearly felt that Cities was sufficient of an improve to justify sending a bundle that included Julius Randle, DiVincenzo and a first-round decide to Minnesota.

Cities appeared sturdy on Sunday, ending with 16 factors and 16 rebounds.

DiVincenzo bought a protracted, loud ovation from the Garden 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 certainly one of my finest years of my life enjoying right here final yr,” 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 yr in.’

“In order that’s that a part of it. You all the time bought to separate the enterprise side with the followers. I believe the followers will all the time have a particular place in my coronary heart.”