The New York Knicks have splashed free agency by adding sharpshooting combo guard Donte DiVincenzo. The former Villanova Wildcat reunites with his college teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, bringing their winning chemistry to the Knicks’ roster.
Sadly, the team bid farewell to promising power forward Obi Toppin, who sought more playing time and found a new opportunity with the Indiana Pacers. It’s a fresh chapter for both players as they embark on their journeys in the NBA.
Season
Team
Points per Game
Rebounds per Game
Assists per Game
Steals per Game
Field Goal Percentage
3-Point Percentage
2018-19
Milwaukee Bucks
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0%
0.0%
2019-20
Milwaukee Bucks
9.2
4.8
2.3
1.1
46.5%
33.6%
2020-21
Milwaukee Bucks
10.4
5.8
3.1
1.1
42.0%
36.5%
2021-22
Golden State Warriors
9.4
3.8
2.3
0.9
41.7%
39.7%
2022-23 (Playoffs)
Golden State Warriors
5.5
2.1
1.2
0.5
37.5%
35.2%
In the realm of the New York Knicks, DiVincenzo shines as a basketball maestro. Joined by Quickley, they form a formidable guard duo. With his play-making brilliance, DiVincenzo takes charge while Brunson rests, creating a captivating display of finesse and determination. Get ready to witness DiVincenzo’s spellbinding magic on the court.
From the depths of mediocrity, the New York Knicks defied expectations, finishing 5th in the NBA Eastern Conference with a 47-35 record. Although they fell to the surging Miami Heat in a gripping six-game conference finals showdown, their roster received a boost with the arrival of versatile winner DiVincenzo. With his streaky shooting, playmaking skills, and a reunion with former college teammates, the Knicks look poised for an exciting and promising future.
The Knicks’ bench faces the test of a fast-paced Miami Heat in the playoffs. Still, they strive to maintain momentum when their second unit enters the game. With talent and determination, they aim to seize opportunities and impact the court.
Donovan Mitchell might play for the New York Knicks for these 5 reasons
The Cavaliers are a strong team in the Eastern Conference, but they were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the New York Knicks the previous year, which was disheartening. Now, some pundits have surmised that Mitchell, along with Jalen Brunson, might be the Knicks’ next major star.
Insiders argue over Donovan Mitchell’s possible transfer to the New York Knicks amid tumultuous trade negotiations. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Knicks may be considering a well-known center from Philadelphia, with Mitchell as a backup option.
However, should their main goal fail, Mitchell may quickly establish himself as the Knicks’ star, which would greatly improve their lineup. The Knicks have a strong argument to sign Mitchell because of his elite talent, which has the potential to alter the team’s direction completely.
Donovan Mitchell may be a Knick for these 5 reasons.
The NBA trade winds are still blowing, so Donovan Mitchell’s time in Cleveland might not last long. The star becomes linked to the Knicks, sparking rumors of a prospective partnership. There are five strong reasons why Mitchell might break out in New York and start a new chapter in the league’s continuing story of player movement and team relationships.
1. Mitchell is a talented scorer.
Donovan Mitchell is a valuable asset for any team due to his exceptional scoring talents in the league. His smooth move from Cleveland to New York would surely help the Knicks, whose incredible career-high average of 28.3 points per game has the potential to change the dynamic inside the squad completely. The Knicks stand to gain a great deal from Mitchell’s scoring ability and all-around effect on the court as the team’s pivot.
2. Deal for Mitchell
The terms of Donovan Mitchell’s deal are still advantageous; it is for three years, with a player option for the final year. With $32.6 million this season and $34.8 million the next, his earnings allow for possible trade scenarios without placing an excessive financial burden on a player of his caliber.
Before considering offering him a contract deal, the Knicks can keep a cohesive team around him by using these figures. These reasonable amounts could have a big effect on their lineup without putting them under undue financial duress.
3. Mitchell doesn’t mind working long hours.
Coach Tom Thibodeau’s penchant for extended playing time is well-known in the fast-paced NBA. Thibodeau’s coaching philosophy and Donovan Mitchell’s record-breaking high minutes per game—at least 33 per season, including a career-high 35.8 with the Cavaliers—go hand in hand. This synergy suggests that Mitchell would fit right in with the Knicks, which might improve the team’s performance while maximizing the star’s effect on the court.
4. Mitchell might be a headline-grabbing addition.
The Knicks have experienced a fair amount of setbacks in their quest for a true superstar, losing out on big-name free agents like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, who chose to play for the rival Brooklyn Nets. Fans want a well-known player to take their club to new heights.
Donovan Mitchell is the Knicks’ eagerly anticipated big addition and a possible game-changer. His arrival has the potential to establish him as the team’s main player right away and solidify his place as a major player on the biggest platform in the most important market in the league.
5. Mitchell and Jalen Brunson mesh well.
Brunson and Mitchell complement each other’s varied play styles nicely, giving the Knicks a two-way threat in both ball handling and playmaking. Staggering their playtime might ensure that All-Star-caliber guards are always on the court, emulating the dynamic between Garland and Mitchell in Cleveland. This would give New York a thrilling chance to strengthen its competitive advantage.
By the end of the third quarter, everyone in Madison Square Garden thought that the New York Knicks would lose. With a score of 87-71, it was hard to come back from a 16-point deficit, especially early in the fourth quarter when this increased to 21 points. They were against the Miami Heat, the very team that beat them last spring in the Eastern Conference Semifinal round.
The odds were awfully stacked against them, and there was a quiet sort of desperation looming over the team as they struggled to gain momentum in the game.
However, just when they were about to hit the ground, there were two things that made them bounce back harder: the entrance of Knicks point guard Immanuel Quickley, and a certain fan.
Quickley entered the third quarter with only four minutes left on the clock. Remaining optimistic about the situation, the point guard refused to back down, drove to the basket, and scored numerous times. In doing so, he became instrumental in helping the team close the gap on Miami.
“It’s a decision to mentally check out or not. It’s a decision to keep fighting. It’s a decision to tell yourself you got to keep fighting no matter what,” said Quickley, as per SNY.tv.
14 of Quickley’s 20 points came in the last 16 minutes of play.
Jalen Brunson, on the other hand, made three clutch baskets and scored 8 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter. The reason? A certain fan had looked him in the eye and said, “This is embarrassing.”
"Honestly, a fan looked at me in my eye over here and said 'This is embarrassing.' So I'll say him"
–– Jalen Brunson to Cassidy Hubbarth on what motivated him in the Knicks 21-point comeback win over Miami pic.twitter.com/iLqvfhxQhw
Taking the comment personally, Brunson was in no time observed to be in a fired-up state with the manic glint back in his eyes.
Sure enough, with the team’s optimism and desperation, they outscored the Heat with only 1:59 remaining in the clock, 96-97.
And they kept the advantage on their side until the end of the match, managing to hold off the Heat with a final score of 98-100.
Brunson led the Knicks’ offensive effort with 24 points while also posting 3 assists and 3 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Quickley had 20 points, 2 assists, and 4 rebounds. RJ Barrett, who also had clutch moments in the game, added 18 points, 1 assist, and 7 rebounds.
The Knicks trailed by 21 points.
They came back in the 4Q to win a must-win game and keep their East Group B hopes alive.
The New York Knicks have made a few final roster moves before the regular season officially kicks in.
While some franchises released a number of players from their teams, others gave players under Exhibit 10 contracts a shot. And among the select few players who managed to convert their contracts into two-way deals were Charlie Brown Jr. and Jacob Toppin.
On Sunday, Adrian Wojnarowski broke this news on X, writing, “The Knicks are converting Charlie Brown Jr. and Jacob Toppin to two-way contracts, sources tell ESPN.”
The Knicks are converting Charlie Brown Jr., and Jacob Toppin to two-way contracts, sources tell ESPN.
Toppin was reportedly set to sign a two-way contract during the offseason but was instead brought to training camp under the Exhbit 10 deal. The Knicks ultimately decided to turn it into a two-way contract, though, after he demonstrated his skills on the court during the preseason.
As reported by Ian Begley of SNY on social media X, coach Tom Thibodeau was left astounded by Toppin’s defensive play.
Via Begley on X: Jacob Toppin impressed Tom Thibodeau with his defensive activity during the preseason. NYK will now convert Toppin & Charlie Brown Jr to two-way deals, sources confirm. @wojespn first reported. Dylan Windler is also on a 2-way deal. Final rosters due 10/23. NYK values Windler
Jacob Toppin impressed Tom Thibodeau with his defensive activity during the preseason. NYK will now convert Toppin & Charlie Brown Jr to two-way deals, sources confirm. @wojespn first reported. Dylan Windler is also on a 2-way deal. Final rosters due 10/23. NYK values Windler
In Toppin’s 33 games this past year, he logged an average of 12.4 points with 6.8 rebounds per game, and he also dished out 2.2 assists. He shot 46.3% from the field and 30.5% from the three-point range.
Charlie Brown Jr.
Brown Jr., on the other hand, played his previous season with the Delaware Blue Coats of the G League, an affiliate of Philadelphia, and was thus unable to play on a league court. Nevertheless, he was a vital part of the team’s 2022–23 G League championship run, averaging 13.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
So far, Brown has played for the Mavericks, Thunder, Hawks, and Sixers and appeared in 41 NBA regular season games.
Monday saw the unveiling of ESPN’s annual “Top 25 Under 25”, a list that’s dedicated solely to players under the age of 25 with the best potential. And topping the list once again is none other than the player with the whimsical, magical abilities on court that’s hard to miss, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.
However, this year marks the end of the Doncic era on the list, as the phenom will be turning 25 soon and is therefore no longer eligible for the youngsters’ ranking. Nevertheless, Doncic’s reigning supreme on the list for four consecutive years just further proved that the Slovenian basketball player has firmly established a foothold in the league.
Doncic has averaged 32.0 points per game (PG), 10.7 rebounds per game (RPG), and 9.3 assists per game (APG) so far this season, and he continues to draw consistent media attention for his exceptional ball-handling.
Via ESPN: “In his final appearance before turning 25 in February, Doncic tops the list for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year. (Anthony Davis, No. 1 three times, might have matched the feat had we not skipped 2016.) Already, we’ve seen Doncic lead Dallas to the conference finals. Although last season was a disappointment from a team standpoint — the Mavericks faded down the stretch to finish outside the Western Conference play-in tournament — Doncic still has the potential to win MVP as soon as this year, making him the safest bet for future success.”
ESPN’s top 25 under 25 based on future potential:
1. Luka Doncic 2. Anthony Edwards 3. Victor Wembanyama 4. Tyrese Haliburton 5. Ja Morant 6. Cade Cunningham 7. Zion Williamson 8. Darius Garland 9. LaMelo Ball 10. Jaren Jackson Jr. 11. Tyrese Maxey 12. Evan Mobley…
With their most recent victories against the Charlotte Hornets on November 6 and the Orlando Magic on November 7, the Mavs have improved to 6-1 overall, with their lone loss being against the Denver Nuggets.
Even though the Nuggets managed to snap their winning streak, Doncic nonetheless gave it his all, as with every game, and posted a double-double in the match-up with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Luka ‘magic’ moment
And so far into the season, Doncic’s most marvelous play came in their match-up against the Brooklyn Nets, where the Slovenian managed to fire a fade-away one-handed three over O’Neil, who was relentlessly guarding him, to give the Mavericks a 123-120 lead.
The NBA also posted Doncic’s stunning performance on their X account, writing, “No matter how many angles you watch Luka’s wild game-winner from… it’s still incomprehensible 🤯”
Jimmy Butler dismissed any reservations about his team’s potential when he was questioned earlier this month about his feelings over the team’s dreadful 1-4 record and three-game losing streak. Instead, he said that this time he felt confident in their team and knew they could win.
Well, it turns out Butler was right. After losing to Brooklyn Nets 105-109 and plummeting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference rankings, the Heat swiftly changed their trajectory and bagged a W in their next match-up against the Washington Wizards, 121-114.
The team then achieved back-to-back wins against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies, both of which were led by Butler and Herro.
However, after Herro went down with an ankle injury during the Grizzlies match, the team experienced a period of uncertainty, as they were now without one of their primary scorers.
Fortunately, this was soon alleviated when they were able to secure a victory against the Memphis Grizzlies 108-102, and the team subsequently won four more times on their way.
In total, the Miami Heat have now achieved a total of seven consecutive victories, which is the longest winning run of any team at the moment, and as a result, this brought their record to 3-8 and has propelled them to the third position in the Eastern Conference standings.
So far, the Heat have proven that their roster this year has some of the most powerful teamwork.
In their latest win against the Nets, all of the members played superbly, with Butler posting 36 points, Robinson with 26 points, Adebayo with 20 points, and Jaquez with 10 points.
At one point during the fourth quarter, the players were observed in perfect coordination even though they were far apart, passing around the ball on court and confusing the Nets players as to who to guard. In the end, it was Robinson, who played in place of Herro, who took the shot and made the three-pointer.
