,
Getty Image
The Villanova Knicks were supposed to take over the NBA in 2024-25, led by superstar Jalen Brunson and teammates Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo.
But that all fell apart when New York shipped DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony Towns.
DiVincenzo made his return to New York on Sunday for a preseason game against the Knicks, and it’s clear he’s still not happy with his former team, especially Brunson’s father and New York assistant coach Rick Brunson.
DiVincenzo scored 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting in a 115-110 loss. But afterward, he and Rick Brunson exchanged some seemingly heated words before being separated my members of their respective teams.
“Just some words. I don’t fully know what was said,” DiVincenzo said after the game. “A lot of people there. But I have no comment on the situation. We’re both grown men and can talk about it privately.”
Rick Brunson is allegedly the architect of bringing his son to New York in free agency. But he’s also rumored to have had a hand in the trade for Towns.
During the game, DiVincenzo turned to the Knicks bench while shooting free throws and appeared to trash talk Brunson.
Donte DiVincenzo:
“That’s what happens when they let you run the show.” 👀
(h/t @IQfor3)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 13, 2024
“That’s what happens when they let you run the show,” DiVincenzo seemingly said.
He did not deny the comment after the game.
“It was in the general direction,” DiVincenzo said. “Obviously, they had me on video saying it. I’m not there anymore. I play. I’m competitive. I wear my heart on my sleeve. That’s all it was.”
DiVincenzo clearly isn’t happy about how things ended in New York. And it’s hard to blame him. But if you’re the Timberwolves, you have to be excited about adding a highly talented, highly motivated player to your roster.