After making 7-of-9 three-point attempts in Friday’s win over Toronto, Knicks sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo has converted 43.4% of his tries from beyond the arc this season, which would easily be a career high. Julius Randle says DiVincenzo has made New York “a more dynamic team,” while head coach Tom Thibodeau expressed appreciation for what the veteran wing has brought to the club, per Peter Botte of The New York Post.
“I think he complements our primary scorers great, because he can stretch the floor and he does a little bit of everything,” Thibodeau said. “He handles the ball, he makes plays, he rebounds the ball well for his size. So he’s done a really good job, but it’s that entire [second] unit that’s really done a good job.”
DiVincenzo, who signed a four-year contract during the 2023 offseason, is one of two Knicks players who will become trade-eligible on December 15, but there have certainly been no indications that the team will look to move him this season.
Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York teams:
- Knicks wing Quentin Grimes is off to a slow start this season, having averaged just 6.2 points per game on 36.3% shooting. However, Thibodeau remains comfortable with Grimes as part of the starting five because the group as a whole is performing well, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. “To me, it’s not about individuals. It’s about, how is the unit performing?” Thibodeau said. “And if the unit is performing well, then you’re fine, right? And if you’re open, you shoot it, and if you’re guarded, you make a play. He can help a lot, and he does. He’s guarding a lot of different players for us. That’s a very important role for our team.”
- After missing Saturday’s win over Orlando, Lonnie Walker underwent imaging on his left hamstring strain and is expected to remain sidelined for several more games, head coach Jacque Vaughn said on Tuesday (Twitter link via Brian Lewis of The New York Post). “Lonnie’s situation is he will not travel with us to Atlanta (for Wednesday’s game) and all signs pointing towards him not playing on the West Coast trip (which runs from Dec. 11-18) and having some more information about that after we get back from the West Coast trip,” Vaughn told reporters.
- On the plus side for the Nets, Dorian Finney-Smith, who was also unavailable on Saturday due to right foot/knee soreness, practiced on Tuesday and is “back in action,” according to Vaughn (Twitter link via Lewis).
- Although the Nets‘ 10-9 record isn’t a major surprise, their strong offensive production has been a little unexpected, Braziller says for The New York Post. Seven different Nets are averaging double-digit points per game and Brooklyn’s 117.5 offensive rating ranks sixth in the NBA. The club is also second in the league with a 39.0% three-point rate, Braziller notes.
I must admit Donte has been a pleasant surprise. However, the season is still young. NYK still should of gotten more for OB1 or kept him. I wonder if a package of Grimes, Randle and picks gets OG
Streaky. He’s had good games and bad games. Still think the Knicks did t need him with Hart on the team. Cutting into RJ and Grimes minutes.
Randle is better than OG
Reason they signed Donte. Is in case they move Grimes. Or he still needs time to improve. All Knicks FA signings have made them better and deeper. They are strong rotation players. Even when they and if they make a big trade……….
Brunson, Hartenstein, Hart, Donte …….
Imo Grimes needs to be more selfish. He’s too passive at times. And just looks out for other players. Needs to be more selfish like IQ. Quickley gets his when he wants it. Grimes has to get a better handle. And take people off the dribble. Still see potential as a strong 2way player.
Also see him and Quickley as strong trade assets ………. Just the truth.
DeM DeR >>>>>>> to NYK
Yes of course DeM DeR to Knicks but definitely not for IQ or Grimes. Fournier the player that needs to go first
You don’t really believe Quickley is staying. He’s going to get paid. Knicks are not paying for a backup PG (25 mill).
Best trade is if they get a star. And don’t give up a core player. Quickley and Grimes are not core players …… not yet.
Jalen, Randle, RJ, Mitch are core players.
Evan F, Quickley, McBride Sims and Grimes for DeRozan
No.