Even Steve Kerr knows that Donte DiVincenzo is a perfect fit with the New York Knicks. As much as Kerr and the Warriors would’ve liked to have DiVincenzo back for a second season in San Francisco, Golden State wasn’t able to afford the 26-year-old after he declined his $4.7 million player option for 2023-24.
Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks got a gritty defensive player in Josh Hart ahead of the February trade deadline, a teammate of DiVincenzo’s at Villanova when the Wildcats won the 2016 national championship. It only makes sense that New York’s main target in free agency was DiVincenzo, and not just because he’ll fit right in with Knicks’ defensive-minded head coach. DiVincenzo won’t completely cure New York’s three-point shooting woes, but he’s coming off a season where he shot a career-high 39.7% from deep.
Las Vegas is the place to be right now in the NBA world, and Kerr spoke to The New York Post about DiVincenzo signing with the Knicks during one of the Warriors’ Summer League games. As New York fans have already predicted, Kerr also believes that DiVincenzo is going to be a favorite of Thibodeau.
Steve Kerr praises Donte DiVincenzo after the former Warriors guard signed with Knicks in free agency
If you’re a Knicks fan that isn’t completely sold on the Donte DiVincenzo signing, perhaps this quote from four-time NBA champion Steve Kerr will help to change that.
"“Love Donte. Plays with so much energy and passion every night. He’s just tough. He competes every possession, gets into the ball-handler, flies all over the court, great rebounder flying in from the weak side. Shot it really well for us last year. Combo guard, makes plays, but can play off the ball, too.Really good all-around player.”"
Kerr also said that the Knicks “struck” him as a “competitive group” in 2022-23 and that DiVincenzo’s competitiveness will “fit right in.” The head coach wasn’t the only one that was struck by New York’s squad this past season as many predicted that the Knicks would be a play-in team at best.
New York didn’t prioritize signing DiVincenzo because he’s another one of Jalen Brunson’s close friends from college, but the chemistry between the two will certainly help. It didn’t take long for Josh Hart to win over Knicks fans after he was acquired at the deadline, and it shouldn’t take long for DiVincenzo to do the same this upcoming season.
Donte DiVincenzo’s a winner – both in college and the NBA – and is the type of gritty player that will thrive in New York. Just ask Steve Kerr.
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