3 Knicks players that will benefit from Donte DiVincenzo free agency signing

The New York Knicks entered free agent quietly and went without making a signing on Friday. It wasn’t until Saturday night when the Knicks made the move that they were hoping to make by agreeing to a four-year, $50 million deal with Donte DiVincenzo.

DiVincenzo adds an infusion of three-point shooting and defense to New York’s roster, which is much-needed after the Knicks shot 29% from three in the playoffs. DiVincenzo shot a career-high 39.7% from three with the Warriors in 2022-23 and outplayed the $4.7 million that he was owed in 2023-24.

Signing the 26-year-old has made New York’s foundation stronger, but three players in particular will benefit the most.

3 Knicks players that will benefit the most from Donte DiVincenzo signing

3: Quentin Grimes

After dealing with injuries in his rookie season and appearing in only 46 games, Quentin Grimes played in 71 games (66 starts) in 2022-23. His capability as a 3-and-D wing is what led Knicks fans to demand that he start in place of Evan Fournier, a decision that Tom Thibodeau ended up making.

Grimes struggled with this three-point shot this season, but still shot 38.6% from three on 5.7 attempts per game. His three-point percentage took a big dip in the playoffs as he shot only 24.3% from three. To be fair, New York as a whole was horrid from beyond the arc.

Grimes and Donte DiVincenzo share some of the same qualities as they’re both tough defenders, work hard, and can knock down shots from deep. If Tom Thibodeau runs a lineup with both Grimes and DiVincenzo on the court, the defense splitting the pressure between that duo on the perimeter can give Grimes better looks. Both players like to attack the rim, so they could kick it out and find the other on the wing.

It’ll be a lot of fun to get to see Grimes and DiVincenzo on the floor together. They’ll work off each other and not only will be challenging to guard but will be pests on the defensive end.

2: Josh Hart

Josh Hart was the second Villanova domino to fall in New York, and now, Donte DiVincenzo is the third. Hart was vocal about his desire to bring DiVincenzo to the Knicks and was quick to react to the news on Twitter after the Woj bomb dropped.

Hart and DiVincenzo play with a toughness that is typical of players out of Villanova, which is why they perform well at the next level. The difference with DiVincenzo is that he’s a good three-point shooter. Although Hart started out hot in New York after being traded from Portland, he came crashing back down to earth in the playoffs when Miami intentionally left him open on the perimeter. That isn’t a strategy that would work the same with DiVincenzo.

The chemistry between Hart and DiVincenzo is already there, which will play to the Knicks’ benefit when they share the floor together. They go the extra mile and make the little hustle plays that in actuality aren’t so little. One thing that it didn’t take Knicks fans long to learn about Hart is that he’s always ready to go to battle, and DiVincenzo’s the same way.

The energy levels are going to be through the roof at MSG thanks to Hart and DiVincenzo.

1: Jalen Brunson

After Josh Hart was drafted in 2017, Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo won another title at Villanova in 2018. The two roomed together in college and in a podcast appearance a couple of months ago, DiVincenzo said that the two are best friends. It should go without saying why Brunson will benefit from the Knicks signing the 2018 Final Four Most Valuable Player.

Part of the reason why Hart was able to fit so seamlessly into New York’s rotation was because of the chemistry that had already been established with Brunson. DiVincenzo should have a similar, if not stronger, effect.

Brunson had to take matters into his own hands in the playoffs when his teammates were failing to knock down shots. He was the only one that could get something going on offense. Every player has off nights, including DiVincenzo, but being able to find an open DiVincenzo on the wing will help to take the offensive pressure off the point guard’s shoulders. There won’t be a need for Brunson to be double or triple-teamed when he’s looking to attack the rim.

The Knicks didn’t make signing DiVincenzo their priority because he’s another close friend of Brunson’s, but because he’s a tough-nosed player that will make the team better. DiVincenzo earned his contract, but yes, Brunson will benefit on and off the court because of his presence.

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