Knicks’ Donte DiVincenzo Reunion Dream Is Slipping Away Fast
Right now, there’s a lot of buzz around Donte DiVincenzo and the idea of him finding his way back to the New York Knicks. On the surface, it sounds perfect. Familiar faces, old chemistry, and a proven sharpshooter rejoining a team he once helped energize. But as things stand today, that reunion looks more like a long shot than a realistic trade scenario.
Reports had suggested that the Knicks at least kicked the tires on a possible deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Those talks were described as “exploratory,” which already hinted that nothing concrete was close. Since then, insiders have made it clear that real momentum simply isn’t there. Around the league, the situation has been viewed as highly unlikely to move forward before the trade deadline.
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The biggest issue is money and roster construction. DiVincenzo is earning roughly $12 million, and the Knicks are over the first salary apron. That means they can’t take back more money than they send out. To make the math work, New York would need to package multiple rotation players or consider moving a key piece like Josh Hart or Mitchell Robinson. And that’s where things fall apart. Hart isn’t going anywhere, and trading Robinson without getting a center back would create another problem entirely.
Even when alternative packages are floated, they don’t really entice Minnesota. Combining smaller contracts might technically work on paper, but the Timberwolves would be giving up a starter without receiving meaningful value in return. From their perspective, that’s not just bad business, it’s unnecessary. DiVincenzo has settled in nicely this season. He’s starting, knocking down threes at a strong clip, defending well, and helping stabilize a lineup that needs shooting alongside Anthony Edwards.
That’s what makes this so complicated. Minnesota doesn’t have a strong incentive to move him, and New York can’t realistically acquire him without making sacrifices it doesn’t want to make. Even the idea of adding draft picks or involving a third team feels more theoretical than practical, especially under the restrictions of the new CBA.
For Knicks fans, this is tough to swallow. DiVincenzo was a fan favorite during his time in New York, setting franchise records and forming deep bonds with players like Jalen Brunson. His departure still stings, and the emotional pull of a Villanova reunion remains strong. But emotion doesn’t close deals in the NBA.
So while the door isn’t completely slammed shut, it’s barely cracked open. Unless something dramatic changes, the reality is simple. A Donte DiVincenzo reunion sounds great, but right now, it’s a dream that’s fading fast.
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