Over the course of last season, Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo became a fan favorite in New York for his highlight reel plays and three-point prowess. However, the Big Ragu will be departing the Big Apple in the latest blockbuster trade that has sent shockwaves around the league. The former NBA champion of Italian descent will head to the Minnesota Timberwolves with Julius Randle and a first-round pick in a deal for four-time All-Star Karl Anthony Towns.
This trade announcement comes just three months after New York acquired Mikal Bridges to officially form the “Nova Knicks” alongside Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte, who all won an NCAA Championship in 2016 as members of the Villanova Wildcats. While Knicks supporters never got to see all four Nova Knicks reunite on the same floor in Madison Square Garden, fans can find solace in the fact that this deal cements New York as title contenders for years to come.
For the Knicks, the trade couldn’t have come at a better time after news broke this week that starting center Mitchell Robinson would be out until December or January in the wake of offseason ankle surgery. KAT will be able to step in to immediately fill this gap in New York’s depth chart while providing much needed floor spacing that will benefit team captain Jalen Brunson.
As for DiVincenzo, the guard will need to readjust from representing the city that acts as the center for Italian American culture in New York to an Italian desert like Minneapolis. The Timberwolves already have an established backcourt with Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards, a duo that helped the club reach the Western Conference Finals last season, bringing DiVincenzo’s exact role and amount of playing time into question. However, he should be able to make a substantial impact off the bench alongside budding star Naz Reid for this young Timberwolves team.
While the Italian cuisine in Minnesota is likely not as good as the Italian food in New York, the Big Ragu has plenty of experience playing for cities with few Italians after starting his career in Milwaukee. Joining his fifth NBA team since entering the league in 2018, DiVincenzo will aim to make a splash as he looks for an organization to finally call home.
