Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry praised the Knicks’ free agent signing of former Golden State shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News.
“He knows how to play the game,” Curry said. “You can tell he won at the highest level in college. The Knicks got a good one and I’m happy that he got his fair share of that CBA, too. So it was good.”
DiVincenzo joined the Knicks earlier this month on a four-year, $47MM contract that far exceeded what the Warriors were able to offer him. Across his 72 healthy regular season contests with Golden State last season, the 6’4″ wing averaged 9.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 3.5 APG.
“He’s all about basketball, he’s all about winning,” Curry said. “He’s good on both sides of the ball. He can play-make better than most people probably realize. So he fills a lot of holes on teams. And he’s not selfish in the respect of — I know he wants to start and be that guy, but he also understands where the value can be created on a team no matter what role you’re asked to do. And he bought in right away. And he got rewarded for it.”
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Knicks reserve center Jericho Sims will not be cut by the team prior to today’s salary guarantee deadline, tweets Fred Katz of The Athletic. The $600K partial guarantee on Sims’ contract for 2023/24 will increase to $1.2MM after today; his full minimum-salary deal will become guaranteed if he remains under contract through August 20, which should be a lock.
- Raptors rookie two-way guard Markquis Nowell is striving to become the latest undersized guard to succeed in Toronto, writes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. As Smith notes, the 5’8″ Nowell is looking to former shorter-statured Toronto guards Fred VanVleet, Kyle Lowry, Muggsy Bogues and Damon Stoudamire for inspiration on his NBA journey. “They’re (people) I studied growing up, knowing that I wasn’t going to be a bigger guard,” he said of the likes of ex-Raptors Stoudamire and Bogues. “I kind of had to study them, study how they stood in the league, how they impacted the game at this level. Anyone I can learn from, I do.”
- Newly re-signed Sixers backup center Paul Reed took to The John Kincade Show on Philadelphia’s 97.5 FM The Fanatic to discuss his restricted free agency and eventual return to the club. The 6’9″ big man inked a three-year, $23MM offer sheet with the Jazz, which the Sixers opted to match. “I’m glad they [were] able to match the offer,” Reed said (hat tip to Ky Carlin of USA Today for the transcription). “The goal this offseason is to keep developing and keep finding ways to get better. I know I got an opportunity this year to play a little 4. Especially, with [new head coach] Nick Nurse. Just working on stretching the floor, driving out the corners, just little things like that.”
Donte is a solid rotation piece. Seems Knicks have loaded up on wings and guards.
Brown and Martin have looked good in SL. Especially Brown, looks like a nice 2way player. Both wings with size.
Looks like Roby will get a chance to backup Randle at PF. Unless a trade goes down. I think under Thibs. Roby can give us a gd 15-20 mins a gm. He can shoot also. Not just a rebounder. Wish him well.
If Curry praises Donte so much, feel free to demand a trade a NY to play with him again.
I’d love to know what went through your head typing this. Like what about curry liking a bench player/role player would make him want to demand a trade to new york to have a worse surrounding cast?
take a joke, issight
A joke requires something funny.
Gonna have to upgrade from Roby at the 4. Should have dropped some of this picks on outbidding Atlanta for Saddiq Bey.
DiVincenzo is an excellent signing.
Knick fans keep fading Thibs. They keep grinding closer and closer to the ECF. Knicks haven’t been this good since Patrick Ewing.
Bey is more of a 3. And we need more a stretch 4. Roby has a chance. It’s only 15-20 mins if that. In season Knicks will probably upgrade. I still see another trade coming.
I forgot Muggsy Bogues was a raptor
All these role players whose careers are saved or rejuvenated by the Warriors always go back to struggling when they leave.
Guys look different when they take off Miami Heat jersey’s as well.
Golden State Warriors rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis has a mom who is a bit of a celebrity. It might have been awkward if he was in the Green Room.
Dad = former Indiana Pacer Dale Davis (not in his life).
Mom = Karla Knafel – Famous for getting $250k from Michael Jordan to stay silent.
Knicks just came off top 4 in playoffs (East). In Thibs third yr here. All while rebuilding the team. Considering we have more assets than practically any team in the league. Knicks are just fine going into 4th yr under Thibs. A big trade is coming. I’m just glad they are not rushing this. Our depth is better than most teams. We just need that ONE starter. Year 4 is coming for this FO.
Any chance Knicks sign Christian Wood to replace OB1?
Not a bad idea. I just wonder if he takes less. And if his attitude is right. I know Knicks scouted him in Thibs first yr. Almost traded for him. Wouldn’t mind him as backup
Donte played just fine with the Bucks. And the only reason he didn’t with the Kings was due to his recovery from the ankle injury.