Sun Oct 13 23:00:00 UTC 2024: ## DiVincenzo Denies Rumors of Knicks Rift, Excited for Timberwolves Future
**New York, NY** – Former Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo has denied rumors that he was unhappy with the team’s acquisition of Mikal Bridges, claiming he was “super excited” for the addition.
DiVincenzo, who now plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, addressed the rumors stemming from a report that he was “really unhappy” about the possibility of coming off the bench for the Knicks. He emphasized that there were no discussions about his role or diminished minutes before the trade.
“There was no conversations with [coach Tom Thibodeau]… There was no conversations with [team president] Leon [Rose],” DiVincenzo told The Post. “There was never a conversation that my minutes would be diminished. It was the outside assumption and ran with it and it was untrue.”
DiVincenzo, who thrived for the Knicks last season, exceeding expectations and becoming a fan favorite, acknowledged the potential lineup logjam that Bridges’ arrival created. However, he stressed that he understood the team’s need to explore different lineups and that his focus remained on his own game.
“Obviously everyone wants to start coming off the season I had last year, but I also understand that there’s different lineups and different combinations that teams want to get to – I understand that,” DiVincenzo stated.
The trade, which saw DiVincenzo swapped for Karl-Anthony Towns, came as a surprise to the player. While initially upset at the prospect of being traded, DiVincenzo quickly shifted his focus to the exciting opportunity with the Timberwolves.
“The only thing that made sense for me was (going to) Minnesota,” DiVincenzo said, adding that there were no angry feelings towards the Knicks.
Despite the sudden move, DiVincenzo remains optimistic about his future with Minnesota, emphasizing that he understands the role he’ll play on the team.
“You can look at the team I’m on right now – there’s going to be some games I start, and there’s going to be a lot of games I come off the bench,” he concluded.
DiVincenzo, who was back at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, warmed up on the same hoop he hit the game-winning shot against the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs last season. He is expected to play against his former Knicks teammates in a preseason game later this week, showcasing his skills and talent for a new audience.
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