Knicks’ Josh Hart Explains ‘Tough Guy’ Mentality Behind Donte DiVincenzo’s Departure

The New York Knicks have pulled the trigger on arguably the most significant offseason trade, sending forward Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns. The move sent shockwaves around the league as the Knicks and Timberwolves adjust to their new big man in the midst of the NBA preseason, including former teammate Josh Hart. Hart’s longtime friend and former Villanova teammate Donte DiVincenzo was part of the three-team trade from the Knicks.

When the Brooklyn Nets traded Mikal Bridges to the Knicks last season, Villanova basketball fans were thrilled to see members of the 2018 NCAA men’s basketball champion Villanova Wildcats, Jalen Brunson, Hart, DiVincenzo and Bridges, all on the same team. By season’s end, they were fittingly nicknamed the “Nova Knicks.”

Hart recently spoke about the day he found out DiVincenzo was going to Minnesota as part of a three-team trade, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

“It’s tough. It’s part of the business. I get it. But I miss my dog,” Hart said. “I think he should be greeted with applause and a standing ovation for everything he did last year.”

DiVincenzo averaged a career-best 15.5 points and shot 40.1 percent from deep, marking the first time he connected on 40 percent of his three-point attempts in a season, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in his lone season with the Knicks. He’ll return to Madison Square Garden for the first time Sunday.